Russell's breakout performance helps Marauders fight off D'Youville

Friday, November 13

Millersville, PA

5:00 PM

Millersville University

1-1,0-0PSAC

D'Youville

1-1,0-0ECC

Team	1	2	F
D'Youville	42	44	86
Millersville	52	42	94

Photo by: Kaya Wagner 2026

11/13/2026 10:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — Brandon Russell scored a career-high 25 points as the Millersville University men's basketball team fought off D'Youville 94-86 on Friday night.

It was the first-ever meeting between Millersville and D'Youville, and the Marauders improved to 5-0 in opening games of the Ron Wilson Classic.

Russell went 8-for-12 from the field, 3-for-5 from 3-point range and added two steals, helping the Marauders overcome D'Youville's rally and close the game with the lead intact. Veron Talla added his first double-double as a Marauder with 14 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 7-for-11 while setting highs with 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. Jase Holland also posted his first double-double as a Marauder, finishing with 12 points, a career-high 10 rebounds, two assists and a 5-for-6 shooting night. Ethan Benne scored a career-high 12 points on 3-for-5 shooting and went 6-for-8 at the free-throw line, while Dante Weise totaled seven assists, six points and no turnovers.

Millersville deftly handled D'Youville's full court press early and built a 42-22 lead with five minutes remaining in the first half, but D'Youville closed the gap to 10 points at halftime with a 20-10 run, and D'Youville continued its push into the second half, tying the game on a Nathan Andrice 3-pointer with 15:19 to play. D'Youville made four of its first five 3-pointers in the second half and looked to be taking control when Millersville switched to a press of its own, and Russell got aggressive on the offensive end.

"I thought the 1-2-2 press changed the game, and I should have went to that earlier," said Millersville head coach Casey Stitzel. "That let us get a couple steals, force them into some quick shots. "I thought we settled for some mid-range pull-ups, and the rule for us is layups or open threes against the press. We were flat at the start of the second half, and they were making shots. It always comes down to defense, sharing the ball and rebounding, and we rebounded better tonight, and at the end of the day, it was a good opportunity for us to play against that style and get pressed and learn from it."

Trailing by four with just under 12 minutes remaining, Russell brought Millersville back, converting a three-point play and, four minutes later, tying the game at 73-73 with a jumper. His defensive rebound then led to a Benne bucket for the lead, and Russell scored again to put the Marauders up four. They never again relinquished the lead.

"I've been on Brandon, and I've coached him as hard as anyone," said Stitzel. "He is one of our wild cards--a guy who has all-league talent who has to mature and learn to be a winning basketball player. What you saw fro him tonight was not only the 25 points but also the way he handled the press, his confidence, and you saw a winning basketball player."

The Marauders used a nine-point run from 4:54 to 3:04 to turn a 77-76 edge into an 86-76 lead, with Talla scoring twice and adding a block during the stretch. Weise assisted two baskets in the run, and DeMajh Salisbery added three points as 'Ville created separation. Salisbery finished with his most points as a Marauder, scoring 10 on 4-of-6 shooting. His three-point play with 3:28 remaining extended Millersville's advantage to three possessions.

"We got some good minutes from players off the bench," said Stitzel. "Ethan, Demajh, (Anthony Purnell) is working his way back. They rebounded, defended, made some shots, and free throws, and we needed that down the stretch. We need to be able to play with tempo, and we'll need depth to do that."

UP NEXT
Up next, the Marauders host Winston-Salem State on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Pucillo Gymnasium in Millersville, Pa.