MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville women's basketball team fell to Shepherd and its high-powered offense in Monday night's rescheduled contest, 56-44.

Despite the loss, 'Ville was able to hold the Rams, who average a second-best 71.5 points per game in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), to just 56 points. Sharay Hall's defensive minded team forced 20 turnovers, while only giving up 17, their second lowest total of the season.

The Marauders were able to keep the game close throughout the first half, going into halftime down by just five; However, Shepherd's three-headed monster in Abby Beeman, Sydney Clayton, and Marley McLaughlin proved to be the difference maker as they all eclipsed double-digits in their 11^th victory of the season. Beeman led all scorers with 19.

The Marauders will look to bounce back this Wednesday against PSAC East rival, West Chester. The Golden Rams hold just a half-game lead over 'Ville in the conference standings.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Millersville ended a stellar first quarter of play on a 6-0 run that brought them within two of the Rams going into the second. Lauren Lister and Ty Taylor each scored four in the quarter, with Lister's final points coming at the 1:46 mark and being the final scored in the first.
• Makiah Shaw drilled a deep three-pointer with 6:31 remaining in the first half that evened the score at 20.
• Shepherd was able to go on a 7-2 run to end the first half, getting five points from star guard McLaughlin and two from reigning PSAC East Rookie of the Year, Abby Beeman.
• The third quarter of play was all Shepherd, as they outscored the Marauders 19-10, seven of those points coming from former All-PSAC East First Team selection, Clayton.
• The Marauders made a final push in the fourth quarter, but it proved to be too late. Lauren Lister scored four in the fourth to finish with a team-high 14 points.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Marauders held the edge in points off turnovers (13-11) and bench points (24-0).
• The Rams held the edge in second chance points (6-5), points in the paint (32-24), and fast break points (9-7).
• Millersville finished the game shooting 28.8% from the floor, 13.3% from beyond the arch, and 60% from the free-throw line. They shot a team-high 38.46% in the third quarter of play.
• Lister led the team in scoring with 14, including going a perfect 6-6 from the charity strike. Taylor and Christa Ricks each scored seven in the loss.
• Ortwein, who leads the team in rebounding, added seven more to her season total tonight, while putting on a show on the defensive end, jumping on every loose ball and getting in many Ram passing lanes throughout the night.
• Taylor also played very well defensively, leading the team in steals with five which gives her a team-high 24 on the season.
• Five separate Marauders recorded one assists on the night including Lister, Ortwein, Shaw, Bria Beverly, and Alyssa Rodriques.

UP NEXT

• The Marauders will head to West Chester on Wednesday, Jan. 19 to take on the current No. 6 team in the PSAC East. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. and the winner will take sole possession of the No. 6 spot.