RELEASE DATE: 2/7/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MANSFIELD FALLS TO MILLERSVILLE 81-64

MANSFIELD- Despite having four players in double figures, Mansfield University fell to Millersville University 81-64 Saturday afternoon at Decker Gymnasium.

Millersville started the game on an 11-3 run to take the early lead and control the early part of the half.  Mansfield cut into the Marauder lead when junior Stephanie Rieser (Barnegat,NJ/Southern Regional), who scored 11 points in the game hit a three point shot with 8:03 to play in the half bringing the Mountaineers within four, 30-26.

With less than four minutes to play till intermission, Rieser drained another three pointer to tie the game at 34-34.  Minutes later, Mansfield took the lead for the first time since the opening seconds of the game, when sophomore Alison Tagliaferri (Linden/Jersey Shore) made a two point basket.

Tagliaferri finished the game with a team high 20 points.  She now has 860 career points, moving her up from 15^th to 12^th on the all time career points list passing Jill Masker (849).

In the final minute of the first half, Millersville’s Danielle Marshall tied the game at 38-38 on a free throw.  The teams entered the locker room all tied up at 38.

The start of the second half, both teams continued where they left off, exchanging baskets.  Mansfield regained the lead 42-41 two minutes into the second half, on a two point basket by senior Jessica Pfeiffer (Erie/Seneca) who finished the game with 13 points, which brings her career total to 927.  She is now ranked 10^th on the all time career points list.

On the next Millersville possession, Marshall made a lay-up that gave the Marauders a 43-42 lead.  Mansfield would not regain the lead as Millersville went on a 20-2 run, which ended when senior Rachel Rieder (Cranberry Township/Seneca Valley) made a lay-up with 4:57 to play in regulation, however the Marauders would go on to win the game 81-64. 

Rieder finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds.

The Marauders were led by Marshall who finished with 23 points and Destinne Parker-Stewart added 21 points.

Mansfield is now 12-13 over all and 3-4 in the PSAC East standings.  The Mountaineers next game is 6 p.m. Wed. when they travel down to Kutztown to take on the Golden Bears in a PSAC East match up.