Marauders hold off fourth quarter push courtesy of big nights from Zentner and Ranieli

Thursday, January 15

Millersville, PA

5:30 PM

Millersville University

8-7,4-5PSAC

Shepherd

2-11,0-8PSAC

Shepherd

Millersville

Marauders hold off fourth quarter push courtesy of big nights from Zentner and Ranieli

1/15/2026 7:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Dane Sabarese, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. --- Millersville women's basketball (8-7, 4-5 PSAC) pushed its win streak to four games in a gritty team win against Shepherd (2-11, 0-8 PSAC) Thursday night at Pucillo Gym. Daniella Ranieli, who had multiple clutch points down the stretch in pursuit of an impressive 23-point night, and Bryn Zentner, who dominated the paint tonight with a 19-point double-double, led the Marauders to victory.

The first quarter was all Marauders as they outscored the Rams 16-9 on great efficiency and solid team defense. Kelly Cleaver had two blocks in the opening quarter on the defensive end. On the offensive side of the ball, Millersville went 6 of 13 from the field and continued their improved three-point performances, shooting 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

Shepherd hung around and battled back, though, and due to an ice-cold second quarter from the Marauders, was able to bring the score within three going into the half. Despite the Marauders' cold quarter, they still led 27-24 at the half, but left a lot to be desired. The Marauders shot 23.5% from the field and 25.0% from three, which kept the game close for the Rams.

Shepherd closed the gap even more in the third, capitalizing on another poor shooting quarter from the Marauders, but the resiliency of the Marauders continued to will them back and give them the one-point lead going into the final quarter.

Of her 23 points, 17 of Ranieli's came in the fourth quarter. In a three-point game with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Daniella Ranieli had three consecutive possessions where she attempted ot put the game on ice. Seven points came in the final two minutes of the game, where she shot it efficiently from the free throw line, going 3 of 3 in the clutch. Despite holding a lead for 33 minutes of gameplay, the Marauders pulled away for the first time thanks to this impressive stretch by the Freshman guard. Bryn Zentner had herself a night as well, finishing with a 19-point 11 11-rebound double-double.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

Ranieli continued to shine and stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, a career-high five rebounds, six assists, and three steals. In tandem, Bryn Zentner had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Kelly Cleaver also had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. This is the first game this season in which the Marauders had two players with a double-double.
The Marauders, as they have most of the season, out-rebounded the Rams 51-38 and capitalized on 13 offensive rebounds with 12 second-chance points.
While it wasn't the most efficient shooting night for the Marauders, a 12 of 16 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter played a pivotal role in the final.

UP NEXT
The Marauders will finish their fifth game in nine days this Saturday when they travel to Lock Haven with hopes of pushing their undefeated PSAC East record to five at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.