MILLERSVILLE – Erin Gibbons led a Mansfield University women's basketball comeback down to the wire, but the Millersville Marauders were able to escape with a 55-47 win at Pucillo Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Mountaineers hung with Millersville all game long. Despite a few Marauders' runs, Mansfield was able to keep the game at reach. Kira Merritt went off from beyond the arc, nailing her first three 3-point attempts in the game, including a buzzer-beater from half court.
 

Check out Kira Merritt's halfcourt #BuzzerBeater at Millersville, closing out the first quarter. #RiseUpMU

Video courtesy: @VilleMarauders | Michael Rosen pic.twitter.com/i2ChMOqD64

— Mansfield University Mountaineers (@MUMounties) January 12, 2019
 

Merritt finished with nine points and two assists on the day while shooting 60% from the field.
 
Mia Leonard, Ellie Thompson, and Noelle Cameron combined to create a force under the hoop. The trio entered the contest ranked sixth in the conference on the boards, pulling down over 18 rebounds per game. They improved on their mark by collectively bringing down 20 rebounds Saturday afternoon.
 
Cameron was held scoreless by Millersville, but Leonard netted nine points. Thompson also hit the first 3-pointer of her career in the first half of action.  
 
Entering the fourth quarter, Mansfield trailed the Marauders 42-28. The Mounties strung together an 11-4 run preceding the heroics of Gibbons.  The sophomore's hot hand started with 3:33 left in the contest, knocking down a trey and making it a 10-point game. Off of a Marauders' turnover the next trip up the court, Gibbons then hit a jumper in the paint. Gibbons went two more trips up the court, connecting on back-to-back trifectas and cutting the Millersville lead to just four with 1:39 left in the game. The Forty Fort native led the team with 16 points, eight of which came in a two-minute span leading up to the final minute of play.
 
Millersville hit their free throws in crunch time and locked the Mountaineers down on defense, going on a 6-3 run in the final minute to escape the Mansfield upset.

The Mountaineers return to action on Wednesday, January 16th when they host Kutztown at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, January 19th they welcome Slippery Rock to Decker Gymnasium for a college basketball matinee at 1 p.m.