WBSK2-10-01

ESU-Millersville Women's Basketball

EAST STROUDSBURG - For almost 30 minutes, the East Stroudsburg University women's basketball team stayed in contention with highly-favored Millersville Saturday night before the Marauders' experience and talent propelled them to a 68-51 win in the Koehler Fieldhouse.

The Warriors trailed by only six points, 49-43, with 11:33 remaining before Millersville went on a 15-4 scoring run to break it open, 64-47, with 3:51 left.

Two freshmen, guard Heather Wolfe and center Vanessa Kraft led the ESU team and showed that the future may be bright for Coach Rose Haller's squad.

Wolfe scored nine points, pulled down eight rebounds and made four assists in an eye-catching overall performance. Kraft hit double figures for the second straight game with ten points on five for eight shooting from the floor.

ESU senior Kelly Hutchison had her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

In the end, however, Millersville's five senior starters were too much for ESU to handle. Sara Burcin led the game-breaking surge with seven of her game total of ten points. Paula Keller connected for four of her team high 15 points. They were set by Safiyyah Bashir, who fed off five assists and had three steals.

The Marauders raised their record to 18-3 including 5-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division. ESU is now 5-17 and 2-6 in PSAC play. The Warriors will play a make-up game at West Chester Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Schneider 2 3-4 7, Mertz 0 1-2 1, Burcin 4 0-0 10, Bashir 2 0-0 5, Smith 1 1-2 4, Keller 4 7-8 15, Hickman 4 0-0 8, Loucks 0 0-0 0, Robles 4 2-3 10, Hoffman 4 0-0 8, Charles 0 0-0 0 Totals: 25 14-19 68

Ross 2 5-7 9, Wolfe 3 3-4 9, Thompson 0 2-2 2, Kuhn 1 0-0 2, Pilenza 1 0-0 2, Garlach 0 2-2 2, Helt 0 2-6 2, Hutchison 5 2-2 13, Kraft 5 0-0 10. Totals: 17 16-23 51

Three Point Goals: ESU - Hutchison; Millersville - Burcin 2, Smith, Bashir

Halftime: Millersville, 40-29