Scranton Women Win 8 Straight

By Bryson Eldridge – Co-Managing Editor

Scranton women’s basketball uses big scoring second half to clinch their eighth straight Landmark title over the No. 2 Elizabethtown Blue Jays 69-54.  

Elizabethtown came out of the gates swinging scoring the first seven points of the game while their parents and student section cheered. The Blue Jays extended their lead to 11-3 as the Royals were out of sync.  

Freshman Kaci Kranson sunk a deep three to spark a 13-5 Royals run that powered a first quarter comeback. Senior Bridget Monaghan brought the Royals all the way back with a step back three to tie the game at 16 with 9 minutes remaining in the first half.  

The two teams went back, and forth before junior Maddie Hartnett hit a catch and shoot three to give the Royals a 37-32 lead heading into the break.  

In the third quarter, Scranton began to pile on a behind a balanced scoring attack. Hartnet and Kranson both hit three pointers while Monaghan made a couple key layups to put the Royals up 53-40 after three quarters.  

In the fourth, the Royals continued their dominance with graduate student Sam Rajza hitting consecutive three-point jump shots to bring the crowd to their feet and extended the lead to 66-45 with 4:30 remaining.   
Senior Hannah Angelini buried a three to extend the lead 69-47 the largest of the game for the Royals.  

The celebrations began early as head coach Ben O’Brien pulled out the starting five to receive their standing ovations. The horn sounded and the Long Center was at its loudest all season as first year head Coach O’Brien cut down the nets as the Royals clinch their eighth consecutive Landmark Title.