LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - A season-high 22 turnovers and a sub-par shooting performance led to an 86-77 loss for the Millersville men's basketball team at Lock Haven Saturday. 

A frantic surge in the final minutes masked the continual miscues that prevented the Marauders (11-6, 6-4) from finding any kind of offensive rhythm. They turned it over 15 times in the first half alone and five more times in the first five minutes of the second half, giving them a season-high 20 before with 15 minutes to play. Paring that with a second-consecutive sub-40% shooting outing was not a recipe for victory. It is the first time since the opening two games of the 2022-23 season that Millersville has shot under 40% in back-to-back games. 

"The game was lost in the first half," said Stitzel. "The turnovers were against a team that isn't pressing and the extra-effort plays, we didn't make for 25-30 minutes. This has been the script the last three years. We don't play hard to start the game and by the time we settle in, it's too late. We get everyone's best game, and Lock Haven made shots. We can't sleep walk and expect to turn it on."

Aamir Hurst briefly gave the Marauders life to start the second half, scoring the team's first 12 points, erasing a six-point halftime deficit and giving the Marauders a momentary 42-41 lead. Then, the turnover bug bit again. Millersville gave the ball away on three consecutive possessions, Lock Haven ripped off a 10-0 run, and the Marauders never fully recovered. 

"Nothing looked crisp or in a rhythm," said Stitzel. "Everything was rushed and out of sorts. When we struggle on offense, we try to play hero ball, and we have to get rid of that. When you turn it over, you have to be able to move the ball and trust your teammates." 

Millersville trailed by 11 with just under four minutes to play. A full-court press forced the Bald Eagles into turnovers and quick shots, and the Marauders crept to within four on two separate occasions. With 1:37 to play and the Marauders trailing 75-71, Day Waters' open bank shot from 15 feet swirled around the rim and popped out. Lock Haven immediately sank two free throws, received another Marauder turnover, and made two more from the line. While the Marauders got the deficit back to three points with 57 seconds remaining on a Carnell Henderson 3-pointer, Lock Haven sank its free throws to preserve its win. 

"We aren't tough enough mentally right now, and that's on me," said Stitzel. "That's my job. I've got to figure out how to get this team tougher mentally and at both ends of the court. We'll keep working at it."

Lock Haven totaled 24 points off of Millersville's 22 turnovers, and Millersville could not find a way to string together defensive stops to rally. Lock Haven shot better than 46% from the field in both halves, and finished the game above 47% for just the sixth time all season. Dean Coleman-Newsome scored 17 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, making 13 of 14 free throws. 

Waters led Millersville with 20 on 6 of 20 shooting and totaled a season-high 10 rebounds and four assists. Hurst scored 18 on 6 of 12 shooting, and Henderson tallied 12 while shooting 4 of 11. 

UP NEXT
Millersville returns to Pucillo Gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 21 against Kutztown. Tip is 7:30 p.m.