KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown fell behind 32-16 midway through the second quarter, but finished the game on a 44-20 spurt to complete the comeback and split the regular season series with Millersville, winning 60-52 Wednesday night in a PSAC East Division game inside Keystone Arena.
 
It is the third consecutive win for the Golden Bears (16-9 overall, 12-6 PSAC), all come-from-behind victories where they trailed in the second half. The last time they were at home, last Wednesday night against Shippensburg, the Maroon and Gold also had to rally from being down by double digits in the third quarter.
 
Danae Ellzy (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) finished with a team-high 12 points and added three rebounds and three assists. Madison Siggins (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) recorded 10 points and two boards. Leila Hurley (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) tallied nine points, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) notched eight points, 10 rebounds and six steals. Ariana Smuda (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) also had eight points and contributed four rebounds and two steals.
 
It was a slower start for the Maroon and Gold, who fell behind by double figures (25-14) after the first quarter. It was less of what KU did on the offensive end, shooting 37.5% (6-for-16), but more of what the Marauders did, going 47.1% (8-of-17) from the floor overall and 75% (3-of-4) from long distance as they built their double figure advantage.
 
Kutztown began to mount its comeback late in the second quarter and outscored MU 12-8 in the frame. But it wasn't easy. The Golden Bears found themselves behind by as many as 16 with 5:52 left as they were doubled up (32-16) following a jumper by Kacie Boyer. But KU finished the quarter on a 10-1 run, sparked by a Hurley 3-pointer and Smelas layup, both under 0:42 to go and went into the locker room at halftime behind 33-26.
 
The second half was more of the same for the Golden Bears, keeping the intensity up on defense with full court pressure, which turned into instant offense. Kutztown outscored Millersville 17-9 in the third quarter and 17-10 in the fourth.
 
Kitty Randa (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) scored five points and both Alexa Windish (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Wood) and Taylor Gurysh (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) had three points. Bella Quinn (Ashland, Ky./Russell) rounded out the scoring with two points and added six rebounds and three assists.
 
Kutztown concludes its home slate during the regular season this Saturday, Feb. 21, when it welcomes Shepherd to town for a 1 p.m., game on senior day. Ellzy, Hurley and Smelas will all be recognized pregame.

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