MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – With a tight game down to the wire, Millersville pulled away with a victory over Lock Haven on Wednesday night and tallied their fifth consecutive win. The Marauders free throw shooting in the fourth quarter gave them the edge they needed to secure the win, going 85.71% from the line. Millersville (15-9, 10-8 PSAC) picked up their second win over Lock Haven (9-14, 7-11 PSAC) this season, and notched their first win against the Bald Eagles in Pucillo since 2018.
There were 10 score ties and 12 lead changes in the matchup and back-and-forth action held both teams to single digit leads. The fourth quarter was crucial to Millersville's success, the Marauders scored 12 of their 21 points from the free throw line and broke through just enough to defeat the Bald Eagles by three points.
Leading Millersville in scoring for her fourth straight game was Taylor Langan. She tallied 19 points while also grabbing seven rebounds. Makiah Shaw was efficient from the free throw line, scoring eight of her 16 points from free throws. The freshman point guard, Marin Miller, totaled eight points while also grabbing six rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Marauders took the first lead of the night, but it was quickly erased after the Bald Eagles drained a three-pointer and tied the game 7-7. Lock Haven would make a layup to take a two-point edge, but Millersville ended the first quarter with a 7-0 run to lead Lock Haven 14-9.
- Maintaining their lead through the second quarter, Millersville stretched their edge to seven points with a layup from Shaw. Lock Haven improved their shooting to 41.18% as they outscored Millersville 11-6 in the final four minutes of the second which cut the Bald Eagles deficit to one point heading into halftime.
- Lock Haven opened the third with a quick start by taking a three-point lead. The Marauders answered with a 9-0 run which gave them an edge they would hold the rest of the quarter. Millersville just outscored Lock Haven 13-12, the Bald Eagles made a layup with 0:17 until the fourth to cut their deficit to two points.
- Back-and-forth action put the game in reach for either team in the final quarter of regulation. The Bald Eagles weren't going down without a fight, as they shot their best of 58.33% from the floor. Down the line, Lock Haven's fouls put the Marauders on the charity stripe and Millersville made 12-of-14 from the line. With the game tied 54-54 with 0:45 seconds, Shaw went to the line after being fouled and drained both free throws to give Millersville the lead. The Marauders added four additional points from free throws and ended the game beating the Bald Eagles 59-56.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Millersville saw their best shooting in the first quarter, going 5-for-9 from the floor, and draining a shot from behind the arc.
- The Marauders held the edge in points off turnovers (12-8), second chance points (13-3), and fast break points (19-3).
- Lock Haven was forced to 13 turnovers, five of which in the first quarter.
- Out-rebounding the Bald Eagles 33-32, Millersville grabbed 24 on the defensive end.
POST GAME THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH SHARAY HALL
- "It was an ugly win but at this point of the season, every team is fighting for playoff spots. Lock Haven played with a lot of grit with adversity we found a way. It's a blessing and this team has worked for every win. I'm so proud of them, this team is special!
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