LAKELAND - A solid defensive effort powered the Moccasins to a 65-39 win over previously unbeaten Millersville (Pa.) Wednesday in the first night of the Holiday Inn South Classic at Jenkins Field House.
Millersville, with all five starters back from last season's 24-6 team, came into the game averaging 79 points per game and had won its first six games by an average margin of just under 35 points per game. The Moccasins limited Millersville to only 17 points in the second half and a shooting percentage of 31.4 for the game. The Marauders also committed 25 turnovers, which led to 23 FSC points.
With the game tied at 16-16 at the 10:15 mark of the first half, the Moccasins went on a 20-4 surge that put them up 36-20 with 3:25 left in the half. The lead was 38-22 at halftime and Millersville never got the deficit below double digits in the second half.
The defensive effort was key, as the Moccasins struggled themselves on offense, shooting just 35% from the field, but they did hit 10 three-pointers to just two for Millersville. The Marauders also were just five of 17 from the free throw line, while FSC sank 13 of 19.
Chelsea Johnson led FSC, now 8-1, with 16 points. Megan Dzikas, in her first starting assignment of the season, added 15 points along with five assists and four steals. Michaela Hawley picked up 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Jenna Craig led Millersville with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
In the first game, Lenoir-Rhyne overcame a 10-point deficit early in the second half and beat Saint Leo 66-62. The Bears (8-1) took the lead for good, 54-52, on a layup by Cameron Sealey with 5:11 left in the game. Denise Moore led the Bears with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Sealey added 14 points and Brittany Mitch, a recent transfer from Duke, came off the bench to score 13. Dominique Daniels led Saint Leo (7-2) with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Marquita Fenn added 17 points.
Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Saint Leo plays Millersville and the Moccasins meet Lenoir-Rhyne at approximately 7:30 p.m. at Jenkins Field House.
