Royals Defend Home Court In Landmark Win

SCRANTON, Pa. - A fast start propelled The University of Scranton to its seventh straight victory, a 73-54 win over Juniata College in the first of a two-game Landmark Conference weekend series Friday evening at the Long Center.

The Lady Royals, now 13-5 overall and 7-1 in conference play, connected on 10 of their first 15 shots from the field to build up a 14-point halftime lead. Freshman guard Megan Kopecki (Millington, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) and senior guard Stephanie Remington (Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua) finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively, while freshman guard Jennifer King (Taylor, Pa./Riverside) came off the bench to score a season-high 11 points, all in the second-half, for Scranton.

Juniata, which fell to 12-7 overall and two games behind the Lady Royals in the Landmark Conference standings with a 5-3 record, was led by freshman forward Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) with 13 points and nine rebounds.

After the Lady Royals opened up a quick 13-point lead midway through the first-half, the Eagles regained their composure and behind four points each by Hnatuck and junior forward Kelly Ashcraft (Bellefonte, Pa./State College Area), cut Scranton's lead down to five with 5:01 remaining before intermission. Kopecki and Remington, each of whom scored 10 points in the first-half, combined for seven points as the Lady Royals countered with a 13-4 run to take 40-26 lead at halftime.

Juniata was still within striking distance trailing by 14 with 9:53 left, before the Lady Royals scored six straight points-two each by King, senior forward Michelle Fabio (Brick, N.J./St. Rose) and freshman guard Colleen McLane (Scranton, Pa./Scranton Preparatory)-to put the game out of reach.

Scranton's balanced attack included six points apiece from junior forward Kelly Tratthen (Olyphant, Pa./Lakeland), senior guard Julie Brophy (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East), sophomore guard Ryan Mooney (Spring City, Pa./Pius X) and Fabio.

Defensively, the Lady Royals have held seven of their last nine opponents to under 60 points.

Scranton will close out the weekend series against Susquehanna University tomorrow afternoon at the Long Center beginning at 2:00 p.m.