SCRANTON — The University of Scranton’s women’s basketball team remains undefeated after beating Landmark Conference rival Wilkes University, 86-26, on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The Lady Royals improve to 20-0 on the season and sit at the top of the Landmark Conference standings with some breathing room.

The Lady Royals were dominant in the month of January, defeating their opponents by at least 20 points. The biggest point differential happened against Lycoming College, where the LadyRoyals put up 51 more points than the Warriors, defeating them 94-43.

The Lady Royals looked to continue their dominance in the month of February in their most recent, 60-point differential win against the Colonels. Opponents have yet to find an answer for the Lady Royals' relentless offense with multiple scoring threats.

Sophomore guard Meghan Lamanna is one of the team’s offensive weapons, especially from mid-range. The New Providence, N.J., native improved her shooting percentages exponentially from last year's, averaging 11.3 compared to last year’s 7.2.

Lamanna has gained more trust from head coach Ben O’Brien as she has seen the court for longer stretches and in critical moments. Lamanna has grown to be a solid starter and young leader of her highly decorated team and leads her team by playing efficiently every game.

Another key to the Lady Royals' success is the Scranton native junior guard, Kaci Kranson. Kranson’s dominant play from inside the paint has been the difference maker in most games, which has resulted in a production in her shooting average. Kranson is averaging 18 points per game and finds the most success when she is driving to the net.

Kranson has become a focal point for the Lady Royals' positive offensive contribution as well as shutdown defense nabbing 73 defensive rebounds and 36 steals this season. On Monday, Feb 3 Kranson was selected as the Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week for the third time this season, her seventh in her career.

The Lady Royals look to improve their season performance from last year and are hopeful for a NCAA Tournament championship win. The Royals ended their regular season last year going 16-2 and later advancing to the elite eight of the NCAA tournament and eventually fall to New York University.

With it only being coach O’Brien’s third year at the helm for the Lady Royals, he has won multiple accolades which reflect the team's roaring success on the court. O’Brien’s career record as head coach of the Lady Royals is 56-4, in addition to two Landmark Conference championships in back-to-back years as well as achieving the Landmark Conference Coach of the Year in the 2022 season.

The Lady Royals are ranked fourth in the nation among all women’s division three basketball teams according to NCAA Division III rankings. The Lady Royals are hopeful to surpass New York University who sits at the top of the list.

The team looks to keep their winning streak alive as well as their position in the Landmark conference as they play Landmark Conference rival Catholic University Saturday at 2.

Lamanna, Kranson and O’Brien could not be immediately be reached for comment.

Photo credit: Kaci Kranson puts up a shot against Catholic University Jan. 18. Courtesy of Vincent Rinella.