MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – Millersville picked up its first home win and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) victory under head coach
Sharay Hall on Saturday afternoon. The Marauders handled Mansfield for their 70
th all-time win over the Mountaineers, 61-46 in what was a complete game for Coach Hall's group, something Marauder fans haven't seen much of this season but should expect moving forward.
The game was very close up until the seven-minute mark in the second quarter when the Millersville offense erupted for a 15-0 run. The Marauders ended the second quarter outscoring the Mountaineers 22-11, which is the team's second highest scoring total in a quarter this season, with first coming in their lone win over Shaw as they scored 23 points in the third quarter of that win. They continued the strong play heading into the third, putting up 14 points while holding Mansfield to just eight and were able to hold off any thought of a comeback in the fourth to earn their first victory since Nov. 13 over Shaw.
Coach Hall and her group will now gear up to face off with her alma mater in Lock Haven, as she will go head-to-head with her former coach, Jennifer Smith, Monday night at Thomas Fieldhouse.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Lauren Lister capped off a Marauder 12-point first quarter with a layup through contact, she was then able to connect on the three-point play at the charity strike to give Millersville a 12-8 lead going into the final minutes of the first.
- Paige Whitfield drilled a three-point shot following Lister's and-one to bring Mansfield within one going into the second quarter.
- Erika Reed connected from three-point land for the Marauders' first points of the second quarter, this put them up 15-11 and extended her streak to four consecutive games with a made three.
- Two Reed free-throws at the 1:38 mark in the second quarter finalized a 15-0 Marauder run and gave them a 30-15 advantage.
- Reed knocked down a pair of free-throws with just over two minutes remaining in the third to extend the 'Ville lead to 48-28.
- Although it was early in the fourth, a Bria Beverly three-pointer from the top of the key felt as if it cemented the Marauders' first PSAC and home victory this season.
- Madison Grubb nailed to free-throws with three seconds left as 'Ville celebrated a much-deserved win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Marauders held the edge in points off turnovers (29-20), bench points (26-14), points in the paints (20-14), and fast break points (20-8).
- The Mountaineers held the edge in second chance points, 13-4.
- The Marauders forced 35 Mansfield turnovers, while only committing 25 of their own.
- Millersville finished the game shooting 34.8% from the floor, 25% from beyond the arch, and 76.5% from the free-throw line. They shot a team-high 40% in the fourth quarter of play.
- Lister led the team in scoring with 16, including going 6-8 from the charity strike. Reed offered 11 points in her second start of the season, going a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line. She has now hit a three-point shot in four consecutive games, the longest streak for any Marauder this season.
- Brenna Ortwein continues to show her effort on the court, grabbing a team-high five rebounds in the win.
- Ty Taylor and Lister each recorded four steals on the afternoon, as the Marauder press is proving to cause problems against their opponents.
- Lister, Ortwein, and Reed each dished out two assists.
POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH SHARAY HALL
- Thoughts on the team's play: "I thought we played as one today. This year we have faced many adversities and had to go through our growing pains, but I am proud of how we defended and the togetherness that led to the win."
- On your first conference win: "To get my first conference win in PSAC is an honor, but I couldn't have done without my coaching staff and the girls. They have steadily bought in and I am excited to see us evolve for the rest of conference play."
- On competing against your former coach and alma mater on Monday: "To go back to my Alma mater and compete is a full circle for me. I have many memories at the university and in Thomas Fieldhouse. It will be great to coach against my former head coach and compete for years to come."
UP NEXT
- The Marauders will travel to Lock Haven to face off with the Bald Eagles on Monday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. in Thomas Fieldhouse.
