MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – Kutztown women's basketball trailed by as many as 15 points late in the third quarter and even 13 midway through the fourth quarter, but used its stifling defense and full court press to rally late. Time just ran out on the comeback attempt as KU fell on the road at Millersville, 63-58, Wednesday night at Pucillo Gymnasium in a PSAC East contest.
The Golden Bears (10-7 overall, 6-4 PSAC) forced 22 turnovers, compared to just 11 that they committed, and did so primarily when they turned to a full court press in the second half. They caused 13 Marauder (9-8, 5-6) miscues in the fourth quarter alone, as they fought back from trailing by as much as 13 (57-44) with 3:53 to play.
The Maroon and Gold got to within seven points, three different times, but just could not get any closer, other than an
Ariana Smuda (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) layup with 0:06 left that pulled her team to within five at 63-58. Millersville did just enough at the free-throw line, going 11-for-12 in the game, and caught a couple of passes that happened to break KU's pressure for easy layups on the other end.
It didn't help either that the cold weather outside happened to sneak into the gym as Maroon and Gold shooters went 3-for-28 (10.7%) from long distance. It was an all-around tough night from the floor as KU attempted a season-high 79 field goals, converting on 22 of them for a season-low .278% from the floor.
Kutztown scored the game's first six points on layups by
Bella Quinn (Ashland, Ky./Russell), Smuda and
Danae Ellzy (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) and did not allow Millersville anything on the scoreboard until there was 2:48 left in the first quarter, as KU ended the opening frame up 10-9. MU took its first lead of the game 0:31 into the second quarter off a layup by Morgan Mahoney, and did not trail the rest of the way, taking a 21-20 edge into halftime.
Smuda connected for four of the first six points following intermission to put her team back in front 24-23, 2:33 into the third quarter, but Millersville went on a 9-0 run over the next 3:08 to go back on top 32-24 and finished the third on a 10-5 spurt to lead 42-29 after three. KU was unable to pull to within closer than nine until the under 2:00 mark.
Ellzy led the offense with 16 points and added four rebounds. Quinn tallied a season-best 13 points and had three assists, three steals and two rebounds. Smuda recorded her second straight double-double and third of the season as she finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while blocking three shots.
Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) contributed seven points, seven rebounds and three steals.
The loss snaps a season-long three-game win streak for the Golden Bears.
Kutztown is next at Shepherd this Saturday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m.
