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BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - Emma Saxton (York, Pa./Central York) erupted for a career-high 30 points to lead the Bloomsburg University Women's Basketball team to a 74-65 victory over visiting Millersville Wednesday night at the Nelson Field House. With the win, the Huskies reclaimed sole possession of first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East at 6-3, and 10-6 overall.

Saxton was brilliant all evening for the Huskies, finishing a sterling 14-of-18 from the floor for her 30 points. The sophomore led the team in field goal percentage entering the night at 56.2%. She is now 58.8% from the field on the season, which is good for second in the entire PSAC. Saxton tallied 16 points in the second half alone, powering the Huskies to a nine point victory despite trailing 40-32 at the half. Saxton also added  six rebounds and four assists to complete the career night.

Looking to bounce back from a tough road loss Saturday at West Chester, Bloomsburg was slow out of the blocks once again Wednesday, falling behind 14-8 midway through the first quarter thanks to six quick points from Millersville's Kendra Bamberger and a pair of buckets from Lauren Lister. The Huskies would punch back, however, using a 10-2 run to take an 18-16 lead into the second stanza. Megan Brandt (Lebanon, Pa./Northern Lebanon) would notch six points in the quarter for Bloomsburg, while Saxton led the way with eight.

The Huskies would fall behind again in the second period, allowing the Marauders lead to swell to as large as eight at the half. Millersville dominated around the basket in the quarter, scoring 14 points in the paint. Lister knifed to the basket at will for the Marauders, finishing with 16 first-half points. Bamberger added eight points and six assists. Saxton would finish the first half with 14 points for the Huskies, who shot just 44.1% as a team in the first half.

The third quarter belonged to the Huskies, who would rip off eight straight points midway through the quarter to narrow the Millersville lead to just one with 3:19 remaining. Saxton had four points during the Bloomsburg run, while Taylor Montana (Berwick, Pa./Berwick) and Darcy Lee (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) chipped in buckets as well. Another Montana bucket would eventually knot the game at 51-51 late in the quarter, but a pair of free throws from Lister gave the Marauders a 53-51 lead after three.

Bloomsburg would not pull away until the 3:26 mark of the final frame, when back-to-back buckets from Saxton would give the Huskies a 69-62 lead that they would not relinquish. Olivia Mottern knocked down a three-pointer as Millersville tried for a final rally, but free throws down the stretch from Bella Ricci (Etters, Pa./Red Land), Payton Spadaccino (Ivyland, Pa./Council Rock South), and Alyssa Mack (Walnutport, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) would salt away the victory for Bloomsburg.

Brandt posted a double-double for the first time in her career, finishing with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while Montana chipped in 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Ricci was the fourth Husky to finish in double figures, adding 10 points. Bloomsburg forced 17 Millersville turnovers in the game, and won the rebounding battle, 36-30.

Lister finished with 28 points and six rebounds for the Marauders, who drop to 6-10 overall, 3-6 in the PSAC with the loss. Samantha Brusha added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor, and Bamberger finished with nine points, five boards, and six assists.

Bloomsburg continues its three game home stand this Saturday, January 19, when the Huskies host East Stroudsburg. The Warriors enter the contest just one game behind the Huskies at the top of the PSAC East standings. Saturday's tip-off from the Nelson Field House is currently scheduled for 3:00 p.m.