MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — The Marauders entered Wednesday's matchup with the Shepherd Rams looking for their fourth consecutive win. They did just that, exiting Pucillo Gymnasium with a 57-51 win to stay flawless in 2024. 
 
The Marauders defense was stout in the initial quarter, preventing the Rams from scoring for the first five minutes until a three pointer put them on the board. They forced eight Ram turnovers in the period and racked up five steals, two each for La'Shyra Williams and Makiah Shaw. Scoring was sparse in the period and the hosts exited with the 12-9 advantage. 
 
Millersville's defense held up in the second as well, limiting the visitors to just 29% shooting from the field. The Marauders shot better, but the Rams knocked down three more three-pointers leading to a 26-25 halftime deficit. Shaw continued her hot scoring from last game in the first half, netting 10 of those 25 while going four of five from the field. 
 
It was a back and forth battle from then on out, as the Marauders would make a basket and the Rams would answer right back with a three pointer. Neither team created an advantage greater than the four point lead Shepherd exited the third quarter with. 
 
Shaw was the Marauders' go-to scorer as they tried to close the deficit to start the fourth quarter. She went on a personal 7-0 run two minutes into the period to give the 'Ville a 46-45 edge. That run was punctuated by a completed three-point play off of a Jabria Ingram feed. Morgan Mahoney gave the Marauders the 52-51 lead with just over two minutes remaining with a fastbreak layup off of another Ingram assist. Williams extended that lead to three a minute later with a bucket. Ingram hit a pullup midrange jumper to put the hosts up five that proved to be the dagger. 

GAME NOTES

• With the win, Millersville moves to 12-6 all-time against Shepherd. It's also their third straight win over the Rams.
• The Marauders climb over .500 in conference play for the first time this season at 5-4. With Kutztown's loss to West Chester, Millersville claims sole possession of third place in the PSAC East behind only the Golden Rams (6-4) and Lock Haven (9-0).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Shaw led all scorers with 19 points while Jabria Ingram was second on the Marauders with 12. Williams was a bucket shy of her first double double of the season but her 11 rebounds marks both a career high and the first time a Marauder has reached double-figures in boards this season.
• After doing it just once in the first twelve games of the campaign, the Marauders have recorded fewer turnovers than their opponent in each of the last three contests. They are undefeated when doing so.

POSTGAME REACTION FROM HEAD COACH KIRA MOWEN

• On the team's execution down the stretch: "Being able to stay together and put together a good run in the fourth quarter from our offensive and defensive execution really helps our morale and mentality."
• On the defensive effort: "We really try to put a lot of pressure on our opponents and take away their strengths. I always try to focus on what they don't do well and put our young women in the best position to take advantage of those mistakes."

UP NEXT

• The Marauders hit the road again when they travel to Mansfield to take on the Mountaineers on Jan. 20. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.