Caleb Wolfe
Associate Sports Editor

While The Snapper was on hiatus this winter break, the Men’s Basketball team played through almost two thirds of their regular season. The season began with a handful of losses on the road damaging their record; however the Marauders have taken a turn for the better assembling a winning streak.

The season began with one common theme: the Marauders won all of their home games, but lost all of their road games. This sentiment remained true for the first ten games.

A devastating loss in double overtime to California University of Pennsylvania at home was the first to break this streak, and another loss at Shippensburg University lowered the Marauders’ record to a disappointing 5-7. 

Despite the slow start, the Marauders have found a resurgence winning seven of their last nine games, and charging ahead with a current winning streak of four games. This has improved their record to 12-9, and places them third in their PSAC East division.    

Some notable wins for the Marauders in this resurgence have been over East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, and West Chester University (who is currently second in the PSAC East). All three of these teams hold a record of .500 or better, as well as being division opponents.  

East Stroudsburg claimed several early leads over Millersville in the first quarter, going into the half with a three point lead. However the Marauders were able to come back and keep the lead to close out the second half 82-79.

This was largely thanks to 20+ point games from both Justin Nwosu and James Sullivan, as well as 100% shooting from the three-point line in the second half.

Conversely, Millersville was in control throughout most of the game against Kutztown, winning 75-54. The first quarter only gave the Marauders a five-point advantage, but a phenomenal second quarter ended the game with a 21 point differential. Additionally, Caden Najdawi had a monster night picking up 28 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks.

Similarly Millersville dominated their division rivals West Chester in both quarters. The first quarter saw a scoreline of 50-35, and the second quarter scoreline was 47-36.

Several players picked up remarkable points values: Mekhi Hendricks scored 18 points, James Sullivan scored 18 points, Khari Williams scored 19 points, and Justin Nwosu scored 26 points. This earned the Marauders a crucial 97-71 win.   

With the season coming to a close, Millersville is primed to qualify for the PSAC Men’s Basketball Championship. In the worst case scenario the Marauders need to win four of their last seven games to clinch the playoffs, but two or three wins could very likely lock them in.

The Marauders host three more games this season. They face Shippensburg on February 12, Mansfield on February 15, and finally close out the regular season against Lock Haven on February 29.