KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Just five days ago, the 21st-ranked Kutztown University women's basketball team had a four-game win streak snapped after a three-point upset defeat at Millersville. But Monday night, KU got a little revenge and held a double-digit lead from the second quarter on in dispatching of the Marauders 65-46 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division action at Keystone Arena.
The Golden Bears (21-5 overall, 14-3 PSAC) tied the program record for victories in a season with 21. They're also one shy of trying the record for conference wins (15).
The two teams met last Wednesday, Feb. 9, in Millersville, and the Marauders shocked nationally-ranked Kutztown to the tune of a 63-60 win. But the Maroon and Gold did not let that loss linger long or cause a spiraling effect as they traveled to West Virginia three days later and beat third-place Shepherd 68-59, a less second three-pointer by the Rams away from their sixth double-digit victory in-a-row. After that important divisional win, they kept the pedal to the medal less than 48 hours later against the Marauders.
Millersville (7-17, 6-13) opened with the game's first five points, but the Kutztown offense woke up immediately thereafter, finishing the last 7:53 of the opening quarter on a 20-7 run. The Marauders netted eight of the next 12, 3:41 into the second quarter and trailed just 22-20. From that point, KU scored 15 straight points and went into halftime leading 37-22.
The Golden Bears led by 22 (53-31) after three quarters and reached their largest advantage of the game at 56-33 with 9:13 remaining. Millersville never got closer than 17 points the rest of the way.
Abbey Hearn (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) led all scorers with 16 points and added three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.
Naia Pulliam (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) tallied 13 points and three rebounds.
Rylee Derr (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Annie Whalen (Ivyland, Pa./Archbishop Wood) recorded nine points on 3-of-3 shooting from long range and five rebounds.
Zara Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) contributed seven points, five rebounds and two assists.
Kutztown is at West Chester on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 5:30 p.m.
