Marauder Athletics
as

MARAUDERS FALL TO VULCANS IN FIRST ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT

March 14 – The Millersville University women’s basketball team saw their season come to an end Friday afternoon after a 70-54 loss to second-seeded California (Pa.) in the first round of the NCAA East Regional held on the campus of Indiana (Pa.) University.

The seventh-seeded Lady Marauders held a 47-43 lead with 7:39 to play but watched as the Vulcans went on a 15-0 run over the next three and a half minutes to grab a lead they would never relinquish.

Forward Gladine St. Julien (jr. Leesport/Schuylkill Valley), named to the PSAC Eastern Division First Team earlier this week, led the Marauders with 15 points.  Forward Raquel Green (so. Philadelphia/Coppin St.) chipped in 11 points for the Marauders while guard Jenna Philo (jr. Lancaster/J.P. McCaskey) hit on 3-of-7 three-point field goals to finish with 10.

The Marauders led at halftime, 22-21.  The Marauder defense held the Vulcans to just 18.5 percent shooting in the first half and forced the home team into eight turnovers. 

California, which has now beaten the Marauders three times this season (73-65 back on December 18 at Millersville; 63-53 back on March 7 in semifinals of PSAC Tournament), jumped out to an early 8-3 lead.  Millersville responded with a 10-0 run highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers by Philo that gave the Marauders their first lead of the contest. 

The second half began much like the first half ended with the two teams trading baskets and unable to secure a sizeable lead.  A layup by guard Aiesha Bellamy (so. Harrisburg/Duquesne) gave the Marauders their largest lead of the half (47-43), but turned out to be the last time the Marauders scored for nearly four minutes. 

California responded with back-to-back paint jumpers by Amber Dubyak and Kayla Smith to knot the game at 47-47.  After several possession changes, guard Lindsay Johnson knocked down a three-point basket that gave the home team their first lead since the 17:56 mark of the first half.

California continued their run as they shot 61.3 percent  from the field in the second half and forced Millersville into 15 turnovers that resulted in 20 Vulcan points.

Four Vulcans finished in double-figures with Johnson leading the way hitting on 6-of-11 field goal attempts for 19 points.  Dubyak (14), Brooque Williams (13), and Smith (12) were the other Vulcans in double-figures.

Millersville finishes their season with a 24-6 record and just one win shy of the school record (25).  They completed the PSAC Eastern Division with a perfect 12-0 record and won 14 straight games before losing to California in the PSAC semifinals.