Box Score

MILLERSVILLE – East Stroudsburg University battled PSAC East leader Millersville to the wire on Wednesday night at Pucillo Gymnasium as the Marauders grinded out a 55-46 win.

The Warriors (3-17, 1-6) scored eight straight points to pull within 48-42 with 3:28 left, and the fourth three-pointer of the game by freshman guard Barb Borst made the score 50-45 with just over one minute to play before Millersville (16-4, 6-1) went 5-for-6 from the foul line to seal the victory.

Borst scored a career-high 12 points for the Warriors and senior forward DeAnna Rayam had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists, the first game this season that she hasn't scored in double figures. Raquel Green led Millersville with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The Marauders entered the game with the top scoring defense in Division II, allowing 51.2 points per game, and the first half was a defensive struggle that saw Millersville hold a 17-7 lead with just over six minutes left in the period.

Borst hit a three-pointer for her first bucket of the game to make the score 17-10, and set up a short jumper by senior center Alexa Detzi to cut the lead to five on ESU's next possession. The Warriors stayed closer with an offensive rebound and putback by sophomore guard Cyara Woodridge and a three-point play by freshman center Kelly Sorber, and Borst's second triple and two free throws by Rayam made the score 26-22 at halftime.

The Warriors stunned the home team by taking the lead with the first five points of the second half, as senior guard Mel Villano's three-pointer and a driving layup by Rayam gave ESU a 27-26 advantage.

Millersville steadied itself with the next 11 points before Borst hit another three-pointer to make it a 37-30 game. The Marauders eventually built a 14-point lead (48-34) with six minutes to go, but Ashley Moyer's jumper was Millersville's last field goal and the Warriors rallied.

Rayam, Detzi and sophomore forward Becky Hayter (six points, three rebounds, three steals) were pivotal in the ensuing 8-0 run, with Detzi scoring four points and Rayam and Hayter both scoring and setting up baskets with assists.

Two free throws by Jenna Craig put Millersville ahead 50-42 before Borst's final three made it a five-point game with 1:08 to play. Mashira Newman hit two free throws at the end of Millersville's possession, then made two more after being fouled on a defensive rebound to put the game out of reach in the final minute.

ESU begins the second half of conference action on Saturday with a 1 p.m. tip-off against Kutztown at Koehler Fieldhouse.