MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - After Cesar Tchilombo scored on the game's first possession, the result of Tuesday's match-up between Millersville and Wilson was never in doubt. Wilson had no answer for the 6-foot-9 Millersville forward, and Tchilombo produced a career-high 19 points and 13 rebounds as the Marauders ran away with a 96-58 win. 

Tchilombo made 8 of 11 shots and did all his damage in a little more than 19 minutes. He had scored just 18 total points in Millersville's first four games, so feeding him in the post early and often was a point of emphasis for the Marauders. Tchilombo scored six of Millersville's first eight points and had a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards in the first half. 

"Coming from (Division I), Cesar was more of a rim-runner, shot blocker and rebounder," said Millersville head coach Casey Stitzel. "We wanted to make sure we established him. He had a really good stretch in the scrimmages and the last three or four weeks of practice, scoring the ball inside. But he's been getting in foul trouble. Teams are playing small. Refs aren't going to reward the 6-9 guy. Today was a good opportunity for us to build his confidence back up. I feel like he is an X-factor for us offensively. When you get in those droughts on the road when shots aren't falling, if we can play through him, that will be a huge benefit for us."

Freshman Carnell Henderson also scored a career high with 13 points and added three steals in 23 minutes. Day Waters scored 13 points and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds. Aamir Hurst added 12 points and E.J. Matthews-Spratley scored 11. The Marauders' guards were active on defense, totaling 13 steals and forcing 17 turnovers. The Marauders also dominated the glass, totaling a season-high 56 rebounds, holding Wilson to 28.6% shooting from the field. 

"The main focus was to not build any bad habits," said Stitzel. "We had a couple of weird turnovers, but for the most part, we got done what we wanted to get done. We got Cesar involved. We got E.J. some easy looks to get him going. I thought the bench played well. I thought we were able to get some other guys into the rotation. I was pleased. I think the field goal percentage defense and rebounding jump off the box score. Those are the things that we need to get up to our standard if we want to be the best team that we can be."

Millersville never trailed and led by as many as 42 points. With the win well in hand in the second half, Stitzel showcased his freshman class for the first time. Jaylen Bernikow scored eight points in 17 minutes. Jase Holloand blocked two shots, scored eight points on 3 of 3 shooting, and grabbed seven rebounds in his collegiate debut. Four players received their first playing time of the season. 

"(The freshmen) are talented but inconsistent," said Stitzel. "There are some plays that are 'wow' and some plays that are, 'what are you doing?' I tell people all the time that this is one of the better freshmen classes we've had. We are using Carnell as a staple to those guys. They are all super talented, but Carnell plays hard all the time. The other freshmen have to build those habits because effort is a skill at this level. I will never put someone on the court who doesn't play hard all the time, but they are headed in the right direction."

The game was the first meeting between Millersville and Wilson. Current Millersville assistant coach Dexter Harris served as the head coach at Wilson during the 2024-25 season. 

The Marauders take a break until the Dec. 3 trip to Dominican.