LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – With a tight game down the stretch, the Millersville women's basketball team hung strong to defeat Lock Haven in a PSAC East match-up on Saturday afternoon. The Marauders victory snaps a six-game losing streak against the Bald Eagles and gives Millersville their first win at Lock Haven since 2017. Head coach Sharay Hall picked up her first win over her alma mater with the 64-60 defeat.
Millersville (10-7, 5-6 PSAC) opened the scoring with a quick 4-0 run to start the first quarter. With Millersville down 7-9, Marin Miller made two free throws to put the Marauders back on an even ground with Lock Haven (7-9, 5-6 PSAC). The Marauders regained their lead from a Bria Beverly jumper and outscored Lock Haven 17-8 to close the first and hold a nine point edge over the Bald Eagles.
Lock Haven outscored Millersville 14-7 in the second quarter and cut their deficit to two points heading into the half. Millersville was held to shooting 23.08% in the second and only made 1-of-4 shots from the free throw line.
The Bald Eagles took their first lead since the first quarter with two made free throws in the third. With a 44-42 score, Brenna Ortwein made a jumper to tie the game with 2:36 remaining but the Bald Eagles answered with a quick 6-0 run. Jaida Parker would put the Marauders within three points with a buzzer beater layup, but Lock Haven entered the final quarter leading 51-48.
It took Millersville less than a minute to even the score 51-51 in the fourth. Back-and-forth action prohibited either team from taking a strong lead. With 5:08 left in regulation, the score was tied 55-55 and Millersville was able to break free with a layup by Beverly. The Bald Eagles remained resilient and hit a jump shot to cut their deficit to two points with a minute left. The game almost took a turn after Miller was called for an offensive foul to give Lock Haven the ball with 0:49 seconds left. The Marauders made a big defensive stop to put the ball back in their hands and Taylor Langan was fouled to place her on the free throw line in the final 20 seconds. The graduate student drained both from the foul line and gave the Marauders a four-point edge. Lock Haven would make three free throws with seconds remaining, but Ortwein was sent to the line and finished the job to give Millersville their 64-60 road win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Millersville shot their best from the floor in the first, going 10-for-15 from the floor and making 1-of-2 three-pointers.
•10 different Marauders added to the box score. Leading Millersville for her seventh straight game in scoring was Miller with 14 points. Langan also tallied double digits, adding 13 points for Millersville.
•Beverly and Ortwein led the Marauders with seven rebounds each and Makiah Shaw blocked three shots and dished out three assists.
•The Marauders' defense held Lock Haven to shooting 20% in the fourth quarter and going 0-for-3 behind the arc.
•Millersville held the edge in points off turnovers (19-17), second chance points (19-18), and bench points (16-7).
POSTGAME REACTION FROM COACH SHARAY HALL
• On what was key down the stretch: "Consistency and rebounding was the key to our success. We had a tough first half giving up 12 offensive rebounds, but we emphasized rebounding down the stretch and were able to get a few clutch ones in order to come out with win. Our team had a relentless pursuit today and I'm proud of our efforts and fighting until the final buzzer."
UP NEXT
• Millersville is back in Pucillo Gymnasium on Monday, Jan 23 to host the Raiders of Shippensburg. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
