Over the last decade, California (Pa.) has consistently squelched the Millersville women's postseason hoop dreams. But Saturday night in Hamer Hall, the Marauders, led by double-doubles from Raquel Green and Mashira Newman, rolled past the 25th-ranked Vulcans 74-63 and into the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region championship game for the first time since 2000.

California has defeated Millersville in either the PSAC or NCAA tournament seven times in the last eight years. Millersville's road win Saturday, however, was its second of the season over the nationally ranked Vulcans, and the team's 25th of the season. That mark ties the 2000 squad's school record for wins in a season. Millersville is now one of 16 teams remaining in the national tournament.

"It's fun," coach Mary Fleig said. "I knew this team was just as special as [the 2000 team]. I thought then that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and to have it happen again is making me tear up. This is a great group of kids, just like that group 10 years ago."

Millersville, the region's No. 6 seed, certainly did not play like the underdog, knocking off the No. 3 seed Friday and the No. 2 seed Saturday. The Marauders travel to Erie on Monday to play the top-ranked team in the nation, Gannon (33-0).

"We took [the seeding] for what it was," senior Raquel Green said. "We came out here and had to prove we [deserved to be] the higher seed. We did what we do best, and that's play defense. We have to focus on ourselves and not worry about what other teams do. This means everything to us. We worked hard and deserve to be here."

Millersville held Cal to its fewest points since the 52 the Vulcans managed against the Marauders on Jan. 3. The Marauder defense, ranked second in the nation, has been constant all season. What made the difference Saturday was a balanced scoring effort led by Aiesha Bellamy, who tallied 16 off the bench.

Bellamy, a graduate student, has been outstanding in the NCAA Tournament after an up-and-down season in which she averaged just 4.1 points per game. In Friday's opening round she scored nine, and followed that with 10-of-11 shooting against Cal.

Green recorded her fourth double-double in her last eight games with 14 points and 15 rebounds. With four blocks in the game, including three in the first half, her defensive play set the tone early.

"Raq came out tonight and wanted it," Fleig said. "She struggled last night. To see her bounce back and have that will — it just shows that she focused herself, and it's all about her heart and ability. To have that many rebounds and to do it in a game like this is a testament to her desire."

Newman completed her second career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and despite struggling from the floor (6-of-16), she drilled two key 3-pointers in the first half. Senior Jenna Craig also turned in another gritty performance with eight points and seven rebounds.