MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville led by 10 in the second half, but turnovers, an inability to close out defensive possessions with rebounds and foul trouble allowed East Stroudsburg to pull off a 74-68 come-from-behind win in Wednesday's PSAC East opener at Pucillo Gymnasium. 

After committing just five turnovers against East Stroudsburg's relentless foul-court press in the first half, the Marauders committed nine in the second including four in the final eight minutes. In that same time frame, East Stroudsburg sank 17 of 18 free throws while Millersville shot seven. Three Marauder post players fouled out of the game, including Saraj Ali, who finished with a game high 25 points. East Stroudsburg held a 33-22 advantage on the boards, and 13 offensive rebounds turned into 17 second-chance points while Millersville finished with just four second-chance points. East Stroudsburg out-scored Millersville 41-34 in the second half despite shooting 37% from the field and making just one three. 

"I just don't think we are tough enough right now," said Millersville head coach Casey Stitzel. "Everyone is getting us on the glass. There are possessions where we play good defense and then give up offensive rebounds. We go up 10 and it's the same story. It's turnovers, dumb fouls and offensive rebounds. We can't get out of that funk."

Millersville led by at least two possessions until a 9-0 East Stroudsburg run put the Warriors up 61-58 with 3:02 remaining. Day Waters answered with a 3-pointer, and the lead proceeded to change hands seven times in the next two minutes. Jalen Pichardo scored on a drive with 53 seconds left to give ESU a 69-68 advantage. The Marauders missed a lay-up on the next possession, and with 13 seconds to go, Nasir Griffin drew Ali off the ground with a shot fake from the top of the key, drew a foul, and sank all three free throws. Millersville's last chance to rally ended in a turnover. 

In the final 4:44, East Stroudsburg out-scored Millersville 22-10, making 13 of 14 free throws while Millersville made two field goals and committed three turnovers.

"Right now we don't play winning basketball for 40 minutes," said Stitzel. "Every time we get momentum we have two plays that are momentum killers. Until we stop that, we aren't going to win close games. Down the stretch, they made every foul shot, and when they made their run, we missed every foul shot. It's the same script. It's been going on for a year-and-a-half, and we have to flip it."

Millersville, now 8-5, has lost all five games decided by five points or fewer after going 3-11 in such games in 2024-25. While both teams came into the game averaging better than 85 points per game, Wednesday's match-up was decidedly slower paced, and both teams struggled to find quality looks in the half court. Waters, who ranked second in the PSAC in scoring average, was held to nine points on 3 of 9 shooting. It ended a streak of 23 consecutive games in double figures. 

"Too many guys aren't threats," said Stitzel. "They are putting everyone on Day. We got him loose in transition but because they didn't trap as much we couldn't get him loose on the press. But when you are up 10 at home, you have to find a way to win the game."

UP NEXT
Millersville travels to Mansfield on Saturday, setting up a stretch of four games in seven days, three of which are on the road.