SELINSGROVE, PA (January 12, 2022) -- Visiting University of Scranton scored 25 points in the fourth quarter, pulling away from the Susquehanna University women's basketball team for a 51-44 victory in a tight, defensive Landmark Conference contest in O.W. Houts Gymnasium Wednesday evening. 

The defensive units dominated for the majority of the contest, as the score was 26-25 in the favor of the Lady Royals (11-2, 3-0 Landmark Conference) after 30 minutes of action. Susquehanna (8-5, 0-3 Landmark) tied the game with 9;40 to go on a three-pointer by Sadie Comfort but nine straight points by Scranton gave it the largest lead of the game to that point at 37-28. The lead would get to double-digits for Scranton with 2:54 to go, but the River Hawks didn't go away as senior Amalia Esposito hit a bucket followed by a triple by Olivia Brandt to make it a four-point game at 48-44 with 42 seconds remaining. 

On the next possession, Susquehanna forced a turnover on the inbounds pass but couldn't convert on its chance. After a made free throw by Scranton, the River Hawks three-pointer with 13 seconds to pull to within one possession late was off the mark and Emily Shurina put the game out of reach for Scranton from the line. 

The opening half was a struggle offensively for both teams, as Scranton shot 13.3 percent (4-30) from the field while the River Hawks were 8-of-29 on field goal attempts (27.6). After Scranton led 6-5 after the first 10 minutes, Susquehanna outscored their visitors 12-8 thanks to six points in the quarter by Esposito.

After the break SU led by as many as five at 23-18 after free throws from Brandt with 6:03 to play in the third quarter, but an 8-0 run for the Lady Royals lifted Scranton back on top 26-23. Amanda Lemire would hit a driving layup with 1:36 to go in the third, as Scranton took the one-point edge to the fourth. 

Esposito was the only River Hawk in double figures on Wednesday evening, as she came off the bench to score 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Lynch added nine points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Lemire finished with eight points, four rebounds and three assists.

Isabella Schwabe posted four points, four rebounds and three blocks, while Brandt tallied seven points and six rebounds while being mired in foul trouble. SU ended the game 18-of-58 (31 percent) from the floor, going just 4-of-23 (17.4 percent) from deep. 

Scranton played only seven players Wednesday night, but got a game-high 17 points from Abby Anderson, who also finished with 12 rebounds. Hannah Angelini posted 14 points and eight rebounds, while Emily Shurina tallied 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.The Lady Royals out-rebounded Susquehanna 50-36, including grabbing 20 offensive rebounds on the night. Another edge for Scranton was at the free throw line, as it made 11 of it's 22 free throws while Susquehanna connected on just 4-of-5 on its attempts.  

Up Next

• The River Hawks will return to action Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. on the road, heading to Huntingdon, PA for a Landmark Conference match-up with Juniata College (5-8, 1-2 Landmark). 

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