MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – In a Wednesday night matchup, the Millersville women's basketball team defeated the University of the District of Columbia in Pucillo Gymnasium for a non-conference contest. The Marauders improve to 6-2 on the season and 1-1 in PSAC play, while the Firebirds fell to 5-5 and 2-1 in the East Coast Conference.
The Firebirds led almost all of quarter one, shooting their best of 43.75% from the floor and 25% from behind the arc. UDC couldn't maintain a lead further than three-points, which was short enough for Millersville to recover from by the end of the first. Even competition in the second kept the game within single-digits and Millersville entered the half leading by six.
The Firebirds tallied seven-points in the opening minutes of the third quarter to trail the Marauders 35-34. Millersville answered with a 10-point run which extended their lead over UDC by 10-points. With under four minutes remaining in regulation, Millersville went on a 13-2 run which gave them their largest lead of the night. The Firebirds were able to cut the deficit, but it wasn't enough, and Millersville clinched their sixth win of the season by a score of 68-52.
The Marauders offensive performance was led by Taylor Langan who marked her sixth game this season scoring double-digits. Langan led Millersville with 18 points from going 7-for-17 on the floor, making all three foul shots, and draining a three. Langan also grabbed her season-high of 13 rebounds. Bria Beverly reached a season-high of 10-points and four field goals made in the non-conference match. La'Shyra Williams added nine-points to the box score and five rebounds. Point guard Marin Miller and forward Makiah Shaw both tallied eight points on the night.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- In the first quarter, Langan tied the score 14-14 from a layup and Jillian Crawford landed two free throws to gain Millersville's first lead of the night.
- Marin Miller finished two back-to-back fast break layups in the second quarter, both assisted by Madison Grubb.
- Crawford was fouled on a made layup and drained her free throw to extended Millersville's lead to 11-points in the third.
- Jaida Parker gave Millersville their largest lead of the night of 20-points after a foul on a made layup sent her to the free throw line.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Marauders held the edge in points off turnovers (18-13), bench points (21-9), fast break points (10-8), and points in the paint (40-30).
- The Firebirds held the edge in second chance points, 16-13.
- The Marauders forced 13 UDC turnovers.
- Millersville held the Firebirds to shooting 32.3% from the floor and 16% from beyond the arc.
POST GAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH SHARAY HALL
"Tonight's win was a total team win. It's often tough to play games directly following finals week, however, we fought and found a way to get it done. I thought Miller stepped up, pushed the tempo and helped rebound. Those intangible efforts lead to transition points which is a huge part of our identity."
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