EAST STROUDSBURG -- Despite, 277 all-purpose yards from Rece Bender, the East Stroudsburg University football could not prevent a late Shippensburg comeback, falling to the Raiders by 24-23 mark on Saturday afternoon at Eiler-Martin Stadium.

The Warriors' (5-4, 3-3 PSAC East) five-game winning streak at Eiler-Martin Stadium was snapped with the loss, while the Raiders improve to 7-2, 4-2 in conference action.  

ESU held a 23-14 halftime lead, but the Warriors were unable to score any points in the second half, with drives ending on a missed field goal, two turnover on downs, two punts, an interception and lost a fumble. Ship was able to score a touchdown after a long interception return, and Jaxson Montross would kick the eventual game-winning field goal with 1:27 left in regulation. The ESU offense was held to  just 1-7 on 3rd down conversions after halftime. 

Bender registered a career-best 188 yards receiving on just five catches, reeling in a 66-yard touchdown and explosive receptions of 47, 39, and 31 and five yards. On returns, Bender registered 67 yards off kick returns and 22 on punt returns for the 277 all-purpose yard mark. It's the second highest of career, with 312 all-purpose yards and Shepherd in 2019. 277 all-purpose yards ranks 10th most by a Warrior since 1974.

Gunner Anglovich rushed for 73 yards with a touchdown on 28 carries.

Quarterback Jake Cirillo threw for a season-best 286 yards, completing 12-24 passes for a touchdown and two interceptions.

Defensively, Paul Carreras led the way with 10 tackles and a sack. The national-leader in sacks, Deshawn McCarthy finished with a half sack and and six tackles. Jacob Keane posted six sacks with two tackles for loss including a clutch fourth down stop. Defending PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week Ryan Hieber and Andre Eldrige also recorded sacks for the Warriors.

Shavar Hussett posted his third interception of the season.  

On special teams, Devin Bartholomew converted 3-4 field goal attempts, making field goals from 27, 33 and 42 yards in the first half, while missing a 42-yard try during the third quarter. Nate Reed booted three punts for an impressive average of 52.7, with two finding the inside of the 20-yard line. He posted a career-best mark with a 62-yard punt.

ESU built an early 10-0 lead. On the Warriors' first drive, Cirillo found Bender for a gain of 47-yards, to setup Bartholomew with his first field goal of the game.

On Ship's first drive, Keane would come up with a huge stop on 4th-and-1, blitzing through the line and registering a tackle for loss off of a handoff.

After taking over possession near midfield, a 39-yd reception from Bender would put ESU in the red zone. A defensive pass interference and four carries from Anglovich would lift ESU to its first touchdown of the game on a one-yard plunge from the Bethlehem native.

The Raiders would score on its next drive, with wide receiver Evan Morrill completing a pass to open quarterback Brycen Mussina on a 30-yard touchdown.

  After a Warrior punt, the Raiders would take their first lead of the contest with a seven-play 65 yards drive which culminated with a one-yard rushing touchdown.

Cirillo would throw his first of two interceptions on ESU's next drive, but the Warrior defense held tough with by forcing a short punt.

Cirillo made up for the pick by finding Bender for 66-yards on his next attempt to retake the lead at 17-14.  Bender now has touchdowns of 96 yards (tied for the longest play in Division II this season), 79 yards (vs. Pace), 64 and 53 yards receptions against West Chester and 40 yards against Bloomsburg. He now has 10 catches of 20-plus yards this season.

With the first half winding down, the Warrior defense forced a 3-and-out. Cirillo would lead ESU with completions of 16 yards to Clifford Brinkley, 10 yards to Elie Lavarin, and a 13-yard completion to Anglovich, before Bartholomew would convert a 33-yard field goal attempt. ESU to extend its lead to grab a 20-14 lead.

After another turnover on downs from Ship, ESU took over near midfield and advanced possession, with a big 28-yard catch by Chad Parton. Bartholomew made his third field goal of the game from 48 yards out as time expired.

ESU took a 23-14 lead into the locker room. Bender posted 152 yards receiving on just three catches in the first half.

Neither team was able to put points on the scoreboard during the third frame. Three combined punts, Hussett's interception, an ESU missed field goal and a Warrior turnover on downs were how the drives ended for both squads.

Shippensburg was able to get within reach of the Warriors with a 53-yard interception return to the ESU five-yard line. The Raiders would score two plays later to get within two points of ESU at 23-21.

Both team's traded punts. The Warriors had a promising 10-play drive that chewed up 5:30 of clock, but ultimately ended in a fumble, just the second lost fumble for ESU this season.

Taking over possession with 4:39 left in regulation, a 42-yard completion would Shippensburg to a 31-yard field goal to take the lead.

With just 1:27 left, ESU gained a first down on an 18-yard reception from Lavarin, but the drive would ultimately end with a sack on 4th down.

The Warriors head on the road one final time next week, facing nationally-ranked Shepherd next Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.