KUTZTOWN, PA (February 13, 2010) – The Kutztown University women's basketball team had No. 25 Millersville University on the ropes during its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division contest at Keystone Arena Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, the Golden Bears couldn't deliver the knockout punch and dropped a 70-62 decision to the Marauders. (BOXSCORE)

Junior forward Melissa McQuade scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Golden Bears. Senior forward Vivian Melvin scored nine of her 12 points in the opening half. Kutztown (15-7 overall, 6-3) slipped to two games behind Millersville (18-4, 8-1) in the race for first in the PSAC East.

Millersville got 23 points from Ashley Moyer along with 13 points and nine rebounds from Jenna Craig. Dominique Stroman finished with six points and a game-high six steals.

Four of Kutztown's seven defeats this season have been to nationally-ranked teams. However, this was probably the most frustrating of the defeats for Kutztown, who led for most of the game.

The Golden Bears constructed a pair of 10-point advantages early in the second half, the last coming at 42-32, with 17 minutes, 38 seconds remaining. Junior guard Meredith Starr scored all eight of her points during the first three minutes of the second half. In its first meeting four weeks ago, Kutztown labored to score 41 points. This game was much different as Kutztown seemingly answered every Millersville flurry with a big basket.

Freshman guard Ashley Wood buried a 3-pointer to give Kutztown a 59-56 advantage with 6:37 remaining. Kutztown only managed three foul shots the remainder of the game. Even during their offensive drought, the Golden Bears played tough defense and forced Millersville into a flurry of missed shots. Those missed shots eventually found their way into the hands of Millersville players, which grabbed 11 of its 15 offensive rebounds in the second half.

Despite its shooting difficulties, Kutztown still led, 59-58, with six minutes remaining. The Golden Bears had several chances to extend their advantage but the ball did not bounce KU's way. Criag gave Millersville the lead for good, 60-59, with a layup with 4:37 remaining.

Kutztown began the game determined to get even for an earlier defeat to Millersville. In the first meeting, Kutztown made 14 baskets. The Golden Bears made 13 baskets in the opening 20 minutes. Kutztown's defense was solid in the first half as it limited Millersville to 33.3 percent shooting (9-for-27) and 10 turnovers. Millersville's largest advantage in the first half was two points on three different occasions.

Kristen Murray drained a 3-pointer with 8:59 remaining to give Kutztown a 17-14 lead. The Golden Bears never trailed the rest of the first half. After Melvin sank a jumper to put KU ahead, 26-17 with 5:42 remaining, the Marauders answered by scoring seven straight points. The Golden Bears closed the half by scoring six of the last eight points to lead 32-26 at intermission.

Melvin and McQuade combined for 17 points in the first half.

Both teams return to action Monday night at 6 p.m. Kutztown visits East Stroudsburg and Millersville hosts Shippensburg.

--KU--