MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - James Sullivan wasn't about to let his Millersville career end today. Not in the PSAC Semifinals. The Marauder senior, who returned for a fifth year after the canceled 2021 season, delivered a memorable 30 points, and the always-stellar 'Ville defense locked down No. 22-ranked Mercyhurst for a 59-53 win, advancing to the PSAC Tournament championship game for the first time since 2007. 

Millersville (25-5) went into the under-eight media timeout trailing by six points, but as has been the case all season for the veteran Marauders, there was no panic. The message in the huddle from PSAC East Coach of the Year Casey Stitzel was simple.

"We just talked in the huddle that we had come too far and had to keep fighting," said Stitzel. "How hard were we willing to work to keep going? From that point on, we were a different team. We had no lapses defensively and made big plays offensively. This team is so resilient, and that's a testament to the program's culture and leadership. It's been this way all year. We found a way. For this group to go to the PSAC Championship game and beat such a good team in Mercyhurst is huge."

The Marauders battled back from a pair of nine-point deficits in the second half, and against Mercyhurst, the No. 2-ranked scoring defense in the PSAC, every half-court offensive possession was a struggle for points. Millersville shot just 38.9% from the field, but Sullivan proved capable of carrying the load. He drilled 12-of-20 shots from the field and 6-of-9 3-pointers, scoring 10 of his points in the final 7:40--a span in which Millersville out-scored Mercyhurst 21-7. 

Trailing 47-38, Sullivan sank a 3-pointer to send the Marauders into the media timeout with a six-point deficit. On the next possession, Jaden Faulkner drew a double team and whipped a wrap-around pass to Caden Najdawi for a dunk. Sullivan and Faulkner followed with back-to-back 3-pointers. After another defensive stop, Sullivan tied the game at 49-49 on another three with 4:19 to play. Millersville took a momentary lead 37 seconds later on a pair of free throws from Faulkner. Mercyhurst's MiyKah McIntosh retied the game with two free throws of his own, but Sullivan answered. He broke the tie with a turnaround jumper in the paint. The Marauders made two more defensive stands, and with 1:04 left, Sullivan gave Millersville a two-possession lead with an acrobatic right-handed scoop. 

Millersville forced another missed three and took nearly 20 seconds off the clock before Mercyhurst elected to foul. Khari Williams sank both clutch free throws, and Justin Nwosu put the exclamation point on the comeback victory with a fastbreak slam in the closing seconds, completing a stunning 17-point swing. 

"You have to stay the course," said Stitzel. "We knew we'd have to make a shot down the stretch. James made a big three, then he gets to the rim. We got defensive rebounds in the second half. We gave up too many rebounds in the first half. I'm just super proud, and we aren't done yet."

In addition to his offensive exploits, Sullivan drew McIntosh, Mercyhurst's leading scorer, as his defensive assignment. With Sullivan dogging him, McIntosh went 0-for-11 from the field and scored all four of his points at the free throw line. 

"James was locked in," said Stitzel. "He not only did what he did on offense but locked down McIntosh--their best player. His performance was one that Millersville basketball will remember for a long time."

Millersville held Mercyhurst to its second-lowest point total of the season and shut down the PSAC's No. 2-ranked 3-point shooting team. The Lakers made just 5-of-27 from deep. 
 
"I thought it was going to be like that (game at Shippensburg)," said Stitzel. "We didn't shoot it well, but we made shots down the stretch. When you defend like we do, you will always be in a game. The defense kept us in it, and the offense took us home. We will have to play better offensively tomorrow but defense and rebounding travels, and you will always have a chance with defense and rebounding."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Faulkner handed out a game-high 10 assists to go with nine points and seven rebounds. 
• Five different Marauders grabbed at least six rebounds. 
• Najdawi scored nine points, collected seven rebounds and blocked a shot. 

NOTES
• Millersville is making its ninth trip to the PSAC Tournament championship game. The Marauders have won five with three runner-up finishes. The Marauders' last PSAC Championship came in 2007. 
• Saturday's win was Millersville's first over a nationally-ranked team since beating Shippensburg on Feb. 7, 2018. 

NEXT
• Millersville plays Sunday, March 5 against the nation's No. 2-ranked team and tournament host, Indiana (Pa.). Tip is scheduled for 3 p.m. IUP won the season's first match-up on Dec. 14 by an 81-58 score, however, Millersville trailed by just six with seven minutes to play, but IUP ended the game on a 17-1 run.