WEST CHESTER, Pa. – A strong West Chester second half lifted the Golden Rams over Millersville in Wednesday night's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East showdown, 59-54.
Millersville (1-12, 0-8 PSAC) ended the second quarter on an 8-3 run which gave them a two-point advantage heading into the half. They then extended that lead to eight, their largest of the game, midway through the third quarter. However, West Chester (4-9, 2-5 PSAC) would mount a comeback towards the end of the third, going on a 11-0 run and taking a four-point lead going into the fourth. The Golden Rams were able to outlast the Marauder's late comeback attempt, taking a two-game advantage on them in the PSAC East standings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A Bria Beverly layup with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter gave Millersville a two-point lead.
- Golden Ram, Leah Johnson scored four straight following the Beverly score to give West Chester a two-point advantage at the end of one.
- Lauren Lister converted an and-one with less than two minutes remaining in the first half that capped off a Marauder 8-0 run. Millersville went into the half leading by two.
- Johnson erupted for 12 in the third quarter, including five straight points midway through, to put the Golden Rams up four going into the final 10 minutes of play.
- West Chester was able to outlast Millersville late, shutting down every comeback attempt the Marauders threw their way.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Marauders held the edge in second chance points (8-5) and bench points (23-14).
- The Golden Rams held the edge in points off turnovers (25-13) and fast break points (20-8).
- Each team recorded 22 points in the paint.
- Millersville finished the game shooting 37.7% from the floor, 27.8% from beyond the arch, and 75% from the free-throw line. They shot a team-high 46.15% in the second quarter of play.
- Lister led the team in scoring with 16, including going 4-5 from the charity strike. Erika Reed offered nine points in her first start of the season, going 3-8 from three. She has now hit a three-point shot in three consecutive games, the longest streak for any Marauder this season.
- Reed and Ortwein each grabbed six rebounds in the loss, while Lister was able to collect five.
- Taylor also played very well defensively, leading the team in steals with five which gives her a team-high 24 on the season.
- Lister dished out a team-high five assists in the loss.
POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH SHARAY HALL
- "We must play five as one and complete a full 40 minutes in order to be successful. We got some momentum in the first half and then got fatigued and died in the second half, made some bad decisions. If we can control our turnovers, I think we'll have the opportunity to win. West Chester scored 25 points off turnover and that's the ball game right there."
UP NEXT
- The Marauders will travel home for a matchup against fifth-place Mansfield on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in Pucillo Gymnasium.