HTML Box Score MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – With the conference season winding down and playoff races in full effect, the Kutztown University women's basketball team notched a crucial victory over Millersville University on Saturday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup from Pucillio Gymnasium, 58-54.
Heading into the game, Kutztown, Millersville and East Stroudsburg were all knotted up in a tie for fourth place with eight wins each. With KU downing 'Ville, and ESU falling to Bloomsburg on Saturday, the Golden Bears currently claim fourth pace to themselves with four games remaining.
Kutztown (10-12, 9-9 PSAC E) and Millersville (11-12, 8-10) traded leads at the beginning of the second half, but once the Golden Bears regained control with 16:19 to play off a
Kelsey Watson jumper, they were able to hold off the home team for the remainder of the game and earn their fourth-straight victory.
Brianna Morales popped her second three-pointer of the game with 5:28 to play to open up the largest lead of the second half for KU (48-41), but the Marauders immediately responded with a triple of their own to keep the contest close. Two free throws from
Natalya Lee with 11 seconds left iced the win for Kutztown.
Kutztown's 58 points mark its lowest scored during a win this season, but another season-low (nine turnovers) helped secure the triumph. Both teams were average from the field as KU shot 34.9 percent (22-63) and Millersville shot 33.9 percent (19-56).
Morales led the Maroon and Gold with a game-high 15 points, one shy of her career high she set two games ago against West Chester. Morales played the full 40 minutes on Saturday, finishing with three assists, two steals and two boards.
Lee continues to fill out the stat sheet on a consistent basis. She recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal in 36 minutes, while shooting 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.
Watson was the third and final Golden Bear reaching double figures, tallying 12 points and four boards.
Advia Campbell was KU's leading rebounder with nine and chipped in two blocks.
Elisa Gaffney came off the bench to score seven points, along with
Nicole Donahue, who shot 50 percent from the field for eight points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Millersville's Yasmin Cooper brought down a hefty 17 rebounds to go with nine points and three blocks. Aunjel Van Brakle scored 10 and Courtney Hinnant came off the bench to lead the Marauders with 12 points.
The Golden Bears remain on the road this week when they head to Lock Haven University on Wednesday, Feb. 11 for a 6 p.m. tipoff. KU won the first matchup at home this season, 66-56.
