Royals Topple Ithaca in Ranked Matchup

By Bryson Eldridge – Co-Managing Editor

The Lady Royals defense proved to be the x-factor as the No. 8 Royals took down No. 14 Ithaca Bombers 74-53 in a top 25 matchup in the John Long Center.  

Senior Bridget Monaghan hit a layup to give Scranton an early 4-2 lead and first year Kaci Kranson extended the lead to 11-5 after a deep three-point shot. The Bombers tried to close the lead after a few defensives stops the lead was cut to 2. Another Kranson layup stretched the lead into double digits at 34-23 with 4:24 left in the second quarter and the Scranton native helped the Lady Royals take a 40-30 lead into the locker room. 

Ithaca went on a 5-0 run to begin the third quarter to cut the lead to 5. Monaghan went on a 5-0 run by herself to extend the lead going into the fourth quarter.  

In the fourth quarter, senior Hannah Angelini went on a run of her own including two and one conversions to begin the Lady Royals run to win 74-53.  

The Lady Royals were focused in on the defensive scheme recording 17 total steals and forcing 20 turnovers by the Ithaca Bombers. The Royals scored 21 points of their 20 forced turnovers.  

Junior forward Maddy Ryan recorded a team high 8 steals which is the highest since 2010 when Megan Kopecki recorded eight steals versus Merchant Marine.  

The Lady Royals will take a trip down to Florida to matchup against Wartburg in a winter break game.