ABOUT THE GAME

• Millersville alum and current Lock Haven head coach, Jen Smith, is visiting her alma mater on alumni day and facing off against her former All-PSAC guard, Head Coach Sharay Hall. Along with this former head coach-player matchup on alumni day, Millersville women's basketball is promoting this as its “Think Pink” and “Senior Day” game.
• The Marauders are coming off one of their more disheartening losses this season, dropping a game to West Chester where they could've punched a ticket into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) tournament with a win. Despite the loss, ‘Ville still has a road to the postseason, and while it may not be as clear as it was Wednesday morning, it’s the only path they have left to work with. Millersville needs two things to go its way in this weekend's final slate of regular season games, which are a win over Lock Haven, and a West Chester loss to East Stroudsburg. While that sounds like a simple task, it's more difficult than it seems. The Marauders are going up against a Lock Haven program that beat them earlier this season, and that currently holds a five-game winning streak over them. On the other side, East Stroudsburg is currently 4-20 on the season, and 3-18 in PSAC play, which is currently the worst record in conference play. West Chester beat ESU by double-digits earlier this season in East Stroudsburg. The Marauders will need everything to go right Saturday in order for them to clinch the final postseason spot in the East.

SCOUTING THE MARAUDERS

• Millersville has fed off strong defense during its late-season climb back into playoff contention; However, the Marauders have loosened up on the defense end of the floor recently. ‘Ville has given up 60 or more points during its last six games, including a season-high 88 to the league’s top offense, Shepherd. Before that, the Marauders held nine PSAC opponents to under 60 points, four resulting in wins. Millersville held Lock Haven to 49 points in its loss to the Bald Eagles earlier this season, 49-44. If the Marauders can hold Lock Haven to under 50 again, while producing more offense, they should have a good chance of taking down the Bald Eagles at home.
• Lauren Lister is fresh off her 2,000th career point and will look to have a big offensive game for the Marauders in what will be her last game at Pucillo Gymnasium in a 'Ville jersey. Lister led the Marauders with 10 points in their loss to Lock Haven on Jan. 24.
• Other key seniors, Mia Leonard, Ty Taylor, and Erika Reed will look to go out with a victory in Pucillo Gymnasium. Chandera Jones-Aryeh and Atiya McDonald have also played important defensive roles off the bench this season and figure to see time in Saturday's must-win game.

SCOUTING THE BALD EAGLES

• The Bald Eagles have been on a tear recently, winning four of their last five games, including wins over Shippensburg and Shepherd, two teams that have clinched the postseason. A large part of those wins is due to the play of Lock Haven's leading scorer, Ahnera Parker. Parker averaged 17.5 points per game in those four wins and led the Bald Eagles in their victory over Millersville earlier this season with 13 points.
• Parker is joined by Brooke Lawyer and Jaynelle Robinson who both average double-figure scoring on the season. Robinson scored 13 and grabbed 16 rebounds in the victory over Millersville, while Lawyer offered 11 points.

THE LAST TIME OUT

Millersville: West Chester 73, Millersville 53 (Feb. 23) 

• West Chester spoiled the Marauders' win-and-in chance with a commanding 20-point victory at Pucillo Gymnasium earlier this week. The Golden Rams now control their own destiny heading into Saturday. 
• Four Golden Rams reached double-figure scoring in the win, led by standout guard, Leah Johnson. Johnson flirted with a triple-double, scoring 19 points to go along with 14 rebounds and six assists. The Marauders received most of their offensive production from Lauren Lister (12) and Makiah Shaw (9). 

Lock Haven: East Stroudsburg 59, Lock Haven 56 (Feb. 23) 

• East Stroudsburg was able to put together one of its most complete games of the season in an upset, overtime victory over Lock Haven.
• The Bald Eagles fell behind by six points after three quarters of play and managed to even score before the final buzzer sounded to force overtime. They then built a three-point lead with just 17 seconds remaining in the overtime period. However, Ryan Weise would hit two three-point shots, including a game-winning buzzer beater, in less less six seconds to complete the upset for ESU.