PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -  The Marauders dropped to 1-3 on the season after falling at Holy Family by a score of 55-43. After going down early in the first half, the visitors battled back to cut the deficit to five at intermission. However, the Tigers took control in the final 20 minutes and departed with the win. 
 
The Marauder defense came out strong, allowing just 10 points to the Tigers in the first 10 minutes. They held the hosts to 25 percent shooting from the field. The standout play of the quarter was a Sophie Elstone block while closing out on a 3pt shooter. Despite their prowess on the defensive end, the Marauders emerged from the period down six because of their struggles on offense. Millersville netted just two baskets in the first quarter, a layup from La'Shyra Williams and a smooth mid-range jumper from Jabria Ingram.
 
The Tigers extended their lead to 12 a few minutes into the second quarter by picking off a few wayward passes and scoring in transition. The visitors slowly made inroads into that deficit and cut it to five by half. Guard Alyssa Rodriques made her first appearance of the game midway through the quarter and immediately made an impact, powering through contact for her first basket of the season and cashing in on the accompanying free throw. 
 
Both offenses woke up after halftime. Holy Family's was the first to do so, as they extended their lead to eight at 35-27 in the middle of the quarter. The Marauders were not deterred and cut it to four with an Elstone layup a few minutes later. However, by the end of the quarter, the hosts had regained that 10-point advantage. Despite the 'Ville's best efforts, they held that lead through the rest of the contest and eventually emerged victorious. 
 
Up next, the Marauders return home to host conference foe Cal U on Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. It will be both Millersville's home opener and the beginning of the 2023-24 conference slate. 

COACH KIRA MOWEN'S THOUGHTS

• On the game: "We have a couple Achilles' heels right now. I would use the age old adage, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Our rebounding right now needs to change. We cannot give up that many offensive rebounds.  We also need to start taking care of the ball a lot better. We made baby steps today and that was playing as a team and not giving up. That didn't happen in games before so I'm proud that we are moving the needle in that aspect."
• On the team heading into PSAC play: "We are looking forward to improving every day and preparing ourselves for two big games this weekend. I'm happy about the progress we have made and we as a staff will continue to lead them in a good direction as we head into Cal."

• With the loss, Millersville's all-time record in the matchup falls to 6-2. It's the first time they have lost to Holy Family since 2009. 
• La'Shyra Williams earned her first start of the season.

• La'Shyra Williams paced the Marauders in scoring with 11 and rebounding with seven. She did so on just five shots, going four of five from the field. 
• Morgan Mahoney and Sophie Elstone made an impact defensively, recording two blocks each. 
• Millersville was held to just 10 percent shooting from the field in the first quarter.