MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — A +12 margin in the shot department proved to be the difference as the Millersville Marauders (8-4) lost 55-47 to No. 17 Indiana (Pa.) Saturday afternoon. The Marauders compiled a higher percentage than the opposition (36.7% to 32.8%) but took just 49 shot attempts to the Crimson Hawks' 61.
 
Key to this difference was a 23-17 IUP advantage in turnovers and a 19-12 IUP advantage in offensive rebounds. The turnovers have been something that has plagued the Marauders this season, especially against quality opponents; in games decided by 10 points or fewer, they are averaging over 21 giveaways per contest.
 
"The turnover situation was like the Clarion and maybe even Virginia Union games to an extent," head coach Kira Mowen said postgame. "The defense plays more aggressively and sometimes it takes us out of our flow. We have a tendency to not be tough and then we end up coughing up the ball. However, today I felt like some of the turnovers were just more simple passes. It was pass and catch, like when a shovel pass for a layup gets bobbled. That's just working more on gripping the ball a little bit better, doing drills to catch rockets being thrown at you, so when it comes lightly you can grab it."
 
The offensive woes coupled with 19 second-chance opportunities allowed overshadowed what was yet another stifling defensive effort; it was the eighth straight game in which the Marauders held the opposition below 36% from the field. Their numbers are even better against PSAC teams, as the 32.8% that IUP shot was the highest they've allowed thus far. Like Tuesday's game against Clarion, the defense kept the Marauders in it until halftime. The hosts held a 26-23 advantage at the break, but the mistakes began to catch up with them in the fourth when a 9-2 Crimson Hawk run put them up by nine with five minutes to play. Key to that stretch were three IUP offensive rebounds and two Marauder turnovers that led to an 8-3 difference in shots attempted; the Marauders finished with just eight points in the fourth quarter.
 
"I think fatigue probably came into play," Mowen said of the fourth quarter lull. "Some of the lineups were on their 34th, 35th minute and the legs aren't the same. So, as we come back from winter break, and get their legs back in shape and enter play on the Eastern side I would like to play a couple more people to get them experienced. But when I've got a flow, I stick with that flow, and I think that causes some of us to be a little bit more tired in the fourth."
 
Rhyan Mitchell and Kali March paced Millersville with 10 and nine points, respectively. Mitchell was one of the few Marauders able to penetrate the fierce Crimson Hawk defense and used her length, footwork, and athleticism to get to the rim and finish. That was especially true in the fourth period, as Mitchell had half of the team's points.
 
The Crimson Hawks were led by Nyshae' Weaver's 19 points while Shamia Strayhorn added 16. Weaver, who entered the game averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds per contest, was a force on the offensive glass; six of her nine rebounds were of the offensive variety and four of those six came in the second half.
 
The Marauders look to bounce back after the new year when the Shippensburg Raiders come to the 'Ville on Jan. 3. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.