Basketball Spotlight: Devils Flat in Non-Conference Loss to Millersville Saturday, November 20, 2004 By Bob Heller USIP Sports Information Director Chris Brattelli's 23 points could not overcome a dismal first half of play as the Devils fell to host Millersville University 72-65 earlier today. The Devils connected on just seven of 32 shots from the field in the first half as the Marauders ran off 12 straight points to start the game and later opened up a 19 point lead 35-16 late in the first half. The Devils missed their first nine shots and were held without a field goal until the 10:53 mark when Brattelli (Sr., Highland Regional HS/Clementon, NJ) connected on a three-pointer to make the score 22-8. USP's first two-point basket came with just 3:40 left in the half on a Brattelli layup. The Devils trailed 40-23 at the break. Things started looking a bit better in the second half as the Devils started the period with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 11 42-31 with 17:52 remaining. Millersville countered with a 17-8 run to boost their lead to 20, their biggest margin of the game 59-39 with 10:56 left. USP slowly whittled away at the Marauder lead, pulling within 8, 69-61 with 1:12 to go but that was as close as they would get until Bill Kurtz (So., Shawnee HS/Shamong, NJ) nailed a three-pointer in the final six seconds to make the final score 72-67. Brattelli added 10 rebounds to go with his 23 points. Eric Cangelosi (So., Camden Catholic HS/ Haddon Heights, NJ) chipped in 13 points and Kurtz added 10 in the losing effort for the Devils. USP's record is now 1-1. The Devils will travel to the legendary Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania for their next game - a Saturday afternoon matinee against Philadelphia University at 1:30 on November 27, 2004.