SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Millersville made just two 3-pointers, but it did not matter with
Drew Stover dominating the paint. The senior scored a season-high 26 points as Millersville blew past Slippery Rock 72-52 Saturday.
Stover scored 18 of his points in the second half, as the Marauders worked one-on-one opportunities for him possession after possession. Fellow forward
Saraj Ali also did some damage inside, finishing with 13 on 6 of 8 shooting. Millersville scored 50 of its points in the paint.
"I didn't think Drew was aggressive enough in the first half, and I challenged him at halftime," said Millersville head coach
Casey Stitzel. "He's a senior, he should be one of the best players in the region, and he came out an answered the challenge. He did a great job on offense and on defense. The guards also did an unbelievable job getting him the ball in the right spots. (Slippery Rock) didn't have anyone who could match up with him."
Millersville struggled on the offensive end early, scoring 33 points on 35.3% shooting and committed 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. The switch flipped with Millersville emphasizing post touches. The Marauders converted 57.1% of its shots in the second half. The defensive effort stayed steady as the Marauders forced 26 turnovers and held Slippery Rock to 35.6% shooting from the field and 2 of 15 from three. It was the fewest points allowed in a PSAC road game since January of 2022.
Millersville's guards created havoc on the defensive end.
Aamir Hurst recorded a career-high five steals. Stover also had a career-high with four steals, and
Montell Cooper had four.
"That's Millersville defense and Millersville culture," said Stitzel. "We know we gave one away yesterday and coming back the next day and guarding at a high level and responding, that's what it's about. It's cool to see the new guys pick up on that. If we can continue to guard like that, we are going to win a lot of games, especially when we get healthy."
Slippery Rock trailed 33-28 after its first possession of the second half, but Stover answered with buckets on five consecutive possessions. Millersville made its first nine shots of the second half with Stover scoring 12 in an 18-5 run. Millersville led by as many as 27.
The win moved Millersville to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in PSAC East play as they continue to navigate a challenging early-season schedule.
"We've had a really touch schedule, and today was a good team effort," said Stitzel. "We go home a little disappointed with the split, but we are satisfied knowing that we'll get better as the year goes on."
UP NEXT
After playing four of the last five on the road, Millersville returns home on Tuesday, Nov. 26 to play Dominican at 5 p.m.
