The Shippensburg University women's basketball team went down to the wire at Millersville on Wednesday night but came up just short in a 65-61 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division setback to the Marauders at Pucillo Gymnasium.
Shippensburg (2-20, 1-14 PSAC) and Millersville (12-9, 8-7) played close to the vest, as there was not a lead greater than seven points in a game that featured 10 lead changes and eight tie scores.
After trailing by four points with three minutes left, SU tied it inside the final minute of regulation.
Makayla Foddrell missed the second of two free-throw tries but the carom was ruled out of bounds off a Marauder, giving SU possession. Down two, and
Melana Eyer knocked down a pull-up jumper to even the score, 51-51.
After getting a defensive stop, Eyer was contacted on a game-winning layup attempt that was ultimately unsuccessful – forcing overtime.
SU tried to pull off a similar comeback in the extra session. The Raiders had possession while down three, 59-56, with 70 seconds left. After an initial miss,
Michelle Olak hustled to save a loose ball from going out of bounds. The ball quickly found its way to Eyer, who stepped into a long three-point shot attempt and converted to once again tie it, 59-59, entering the final minute.
Millersville went to the free-throw line 10 times in the final 53 seconds, making six, to come away with the victory.
All 61 of Shippensburg's points came from its starters.
Abbie Johns finished with a team-high 14 points and a career-high seven rebounds in 43 minutes of action. She added two assists and two steals.
Olak made it nine games in a row in double figures, scoring 12 points while grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. She also matched her career high with three blocks.
McKenzie Thomas delivered her fifth double-digit scoring performance of the season; her 13 points were her most in the last nine contests. Thomas added six rebounds and matched a career high with three steals.
Eyer was a highly-efficient 3-of-4 from three-point range, totaling 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds.
Foddrell scored nine points on 4-of-7 shooting to go along with six rebounds. She matched a career high with three assists.
Both teams shot 32 percent from the field. The Marauders finished the game 23-of-30 (77 percent) at the free-throw line, while the Raiders were 8-of-12 (67 percent) – making the most of their limited trips to the charity stripe.
On Saturday, SU will be hosting its Alumni Game at 10 a.m. in advance of the team's 1 p.m. divisional clash with West Chester. The women's basketball team will also be conducting its Pink Day; there will be many raffles from which the proceeds will benefit breast cancer research. SU Field Hockey will also be recognized during a halftime ceremony Saturday.
