A huge run in the first half of the Cheyney game, which transitioned through the halftime break and into the second half, enabled Millersville’s women’s basketball team to add yet another victory to their season resume.
En route to their 20th win, Millersville had to stay focused on the task at hand and did so behind a strong group effort, which provided double-digit scoring for all five starters.
The game was highly competitive in the early going and it was not until, the huge 20-4 spurt that the visitors had any inclination that they would attain their 19th win of the season.
Junior Aiesha Bellamy led all Millersville scorers with 15 points, doing most of her damage from the charity stripe, while teammate junior Jenna Craig solidified her inside dominance by ripping down 10 boards and completed another double-double by adding 11 points.
With a 10 point lead entering the second half, the Marauders continued firing away from long range and buried their opponents.
They shot seven of 11 from long distance on the night, and proved to be too overwhelming for the home standing Cheyney Wolves, finishing with a
score of 72-58.
Not only was the team’s offense all-inclusive; it was able to utilize team efforts on the opposite side of the floor as well.
It held its opponent to a measly 33 percent from the field, which enabled the Marauders to pull away from their host, Cheyney.
After inching another step closer to a second consecutive 20 win season, the Marauders looked to seal the deal on Sat. Feb. 21, against PSAC East rival Bloomsburg. On the home floor, senior Gladine St. Julien dominated her foes, scoring a career high 29 points on an outstanding 12 of 16 shooting night.
Millersville, for the first time in their past few games, could not find the range from beyond the arc and relied on St. Julien to punish the opponents inside.
It was a sloppy, turnover-filled first half that kept the game slightly closer than the Marauders would have desired.
Yet, Millersville began pulling away from their opponents as the first half neared completion behind a quick scoring barrage from St. Julien, who completed the half with 14 points.
A lady marauder shoots for a basket. Photo by: Christian Shuts.
The half time score saw the Marauders up by 10 points, 34-24 and the home side did not look back.
As the second half began, Millersville maintained their defensive pressure and created 14 more turnovers in the half. They were able to stretch their lead behind a strong team effort and extended the lead to a 62-49 score line at one point.
St. Julien was not only dominant on the offensive end though. She was able to masterfully display a defensive effort, holding Bloomsburg star, All First-Team PSAC East player Colleen Kegerreis, to only a single point. That is 14 points under her season average, and the versatile performance by St. Julien led the Marauders to a 67-49 victory.
Once again, the 49 points conceded was the 14th time that Millersville held their opponents under 50 points this season, and it marked their 20th victory of the year.
It was no surprise that St. Julien, based on her performance over the past week, was named PSAC East player of the week.
She was the first on the team to enjoy the award this season.
She has been a huge contributor to this year’s team’s success. It was her career high in points, and it was the first time that she had ever hit 12 field goals in a single game in her college career.
It was the third time that she won the achievement, and she looks to continue her dominant play throughout the latter part of the season and into the playoffs.
Millersville plays at home for the final time this season, on Wednesday Feb. 25 at 6 p.m., and it is senior recognition night.
They then complete their regular season run, on Saturday Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. at Cheyney
University.
The team is fully aware that they must finish out the regular season before looking ahead to the playoffs.
“We always take it game by game. We know that these games can have an affect on where we place and who we play in the playoffs, so we’ll stay focused,” freshman Aurie Mosley said.
If this season has proved anything, it is that there should be no inclination for others to doubt this team’s focus.
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