SCRANTON — Ask members of the University of Scranton women’s basketball team for words to describe its defense and the same adjective keeps being mentioned.
“Tenacious and together,” Meghan Lamanna said.
“Tenacious and resilient,” Kaeli Romanowski said.
“Tenacious,” coach Ben O’Brien said.
That tenacity was on full display Saturday as the No. 2 Lady Royals hounded and harassed Elizabethtown College throughout to roll to an 88-48 victory in the nightcap of a Landmark Conference doubleheader Saturday at the John Long Center.
Lamanna scored 25 points, Kaci Kranson had 23 points and Elizabeth Bennett chipped in 16 for Scranton (13-0 league, 21-0 overall), while Romanowski totaled five points, 11 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
But it was the defense, as usual, that set the tone.
“That’s where we start all our games and where we really pride ourselves,” Lamanna said. “Today I think was a very good example of that. We didn’t take a possession off. Our help defense was good, on-the-ball pressure was good. That’s just what we strive for in practice and in game.”
Scranton ranks second in scoring defense in NCAA Division III, allowing 42.6 points, and fifth in field-goal percentage defense at 31.6 (310 for 980).
“We try to be tenacious every game,” O’Brien said. “On the ball, off the ball, individually but also collectively as a team. The players are committed to 40 minutes of tenacious defense from start to finish.
“I thought we made them uncomfortable, made them really work for everything they got out there. They’re a good team, so sometimes they’re going to make tough shots. But I thought our players consistently for 40 minutes made things very difficult.”
When the teams met at Elizabethtown on Jan. 7, the Lady Royals won, 59-50. That is their narrowest margin of victory this season.
Things weren’t close this time around. Scranton never trailed, scoring the first six points. It used a 19-3 run spanning the final 3:50 of the first quarter and the opening 2:05 of the second to seize control and build a 29-9 lead.
“Last game when we played them, we didn’t come out as intense as we expected ourselves to,” Romanowski said. “We hold ourselves to a high standard and when that didn’t happen, we went back and watched the film. Today, we knew we needed to come out strong, come out and throw the first punch. Our offense is led by our defense. We know if we’re getting stops and creating chaos on defense, the rest of the game will come and shots will fall eventually. If not, we have our defense to lay back on.”
Romanowski is Scranton’s secretary of defense. The senior from Western Wayne leads the conference and ranks top 15 in the nation in steals with 74.
O’Brien calls her the best defensive player he has coached at any level.
“She’s such a great example for everyone else to follow,” O’Brien said. “She is the person that triggers that energy and tenacity. The tip of the spear for us defensively.”
Leading at halftime, 42-19, the Lady Royals didn’t let up in the third quarter. Lamanna scored on four consecutive possessions — three baskets coming on drives — for 10 straight points to extend the lead to 57-25 with 4:41 left.
“I was just reading the defense and seeing what’s open,” Lamanna said. “If I had a drive, I was taking that. A three, then I was taking that. I was just trying to read the defense and play team offense. My teammates were finding me for outside shots and setting really good screens for me to get open.”
To start the fourth, Lamanna sandwiched two 3-pointers around two baskets by Kranson that made it 78-40 with 7:09 to play. Scranton’s largest lead was 88-46 on a basket by sophomore Selena Cieszko with 1:12 remaining.
Makenna Mummert led Elizabethtown (10-4, 14-7) with 16 points. Abington Heights graduate Peyton Houlihan had two points, four rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes.
With two weeks left in the regular season, Lamanna said she and her teammates feel good where they’re at but they’re not satisfied. O’Brien agreed.
“When you look up at the scoreboard in today’s game and the outcome, we — the players and the coaches — still feel like there are areas where we can improve, which is a very exciting thing to think about,” O’Brien said. “I think we’re playing well, but there’s definitely things we can keep working on. I think still our best basketball is ahead.”
Between games of the doubleheader, the University held its annual Wall of Fame induction ceremony. This year’s class includes Brendan Boken, men’s basketball; Jo-Jo Cantafio, men’s basketball and baseball; Lindsay Fluehr, women’s basketball; Emily Goss, women’s lacrosse; Jessica Pankey, field hockey; and Emily Walsh, women’s tennis.
Marywood 74, Pratt Institute 65: At Brooklyn, New York, Mia Blue collected 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals to help lead Marywood University to an Atlantic East Conference road win over Pratt Institute.
Megan Cavoli added 17 points for the Pacers (6-4, 11-10), who outscored the Cannoneers, 18-7, over the final five minutes to earn the victory.
Wilson 75, Keystone 43: At Chambersburg, Wilson College scored 30 points in the first quarter and pulled away to a United East Conference win over Keystone College.
Tayana Bibbins led Keystone (3-9, 4-19) with 12 points, including 8 for 9 from the foul line. Jayda Price had nine points and five rebounds, while Mid Valley graduate Krista Cortazar finished with nine points and six rebounds.
Harcum 106, Lackawanna 34: At Bryn Mawr, a shorthanded Lackawanna College squad dropped its fifth straight game in an NJCAA Region 19 Division II matchup against No. 3 Harcum College.
Harcum scored the first 26 points, led after one quarter, 30-5, and at halftime, 61-7.
Canyah Randle led Lackawanna with 14 points. Sophia Summa added 12 points for the Lady Falcons (1-11, 7-15), who played with just six players because of injuries.
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