WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Senior Meghan Dufner (Washington, N.J. / Warren Hills Regional) secured eight of her 12 points during the third quarter, leading the Lycoming College women's basketball team in a 94-43 setback against the University of Scranton, which is ranked second in the WBCA Division III Coaches Poll, in Landmark Conference action on Wednesday evening, January 22, at Lamade Gym.
Senior Mya Wetzel (Frackville, Pa. / North Schuylkill) also helped Lycoming's efforts against the University of Scranton, which is also ranked No. 3 in the D3Hoops.com Top 25, as she secured two 3-pointers, nine points, two rebounds, and two assists. Junior Allison Fisher (Lower Burrell, Pa. / Burrell) contributed three rebounds and six points with two 3-pointers.
Wetzel's two 3-pointers give her 156 in her career, nine shy of the school record of 165 set by Allison Mock '09.
Scranton jumped out with a 3-pointer in the first minute of the first quarter. Lycoming (2-14 overall, 1-8 Landmark) quickly responded with Dufner hitting a layup and senior Alicia Goldenziel (Moscow, Pa. / North Pocono) adding a layup in the second minute. The Warriors claimed a two-minute lead before the Royals bounced back. Dufner made a two-pointer in the fifth minute, closing Scranton's advantage to one point and Wetzel drained a 3-pointer to tie the game 9-9 with three minutes left on the clock, but the Royals (16-0 overall, 9-0 Landmark) pulled away and ended the period with a 19-point advantage.
Wetzel posted a free throw in the second minute of the second quarter to kick off the Warriors' scoring. Junior Kami Abdo (Pottsville, Pa. / Nativity BVM) followed up and secured a 3-pointer in the fourth minute. Sophomore Sydnie Stone (Muncy Valley, Pa. / Montoursville Area) hit two free throws in the fourth minute before Wetzel returned with her second 3-pointer. With a minute remaining, Fisher sunk a 3-pointer. The Royals held a 55-21 advantage entering halftime.
To kickstart the third quarter, senior Ashley Yoh (Myerstown, Pa. / Eastern Lebanon County) passed the ball to Wetzel, who drove forward and secured a layup ten seconds into play. Dufner secured two free throws before Yoh returned to make a jumper in the second minute. Surrounded by the Royals, Dufner pushed toward the basket and threw in a successful jumper in the fourth minute. Continuing to lead the Warriors' efforts in the quarter, Dufner hit another jumper in the fifth minute and she added another layup in the seventh minute. The Royals led 77-33 at the end of the period.
Fisher secured a 3-pointer to begin the Warriors' scoring in the fourth quarter. First-year Jocelyn McCracken (Jersey Shore, Pa. / Jersey Shore Area) secured two free throws in the sixth minute and added another in the seventh minute. Sophomore Ann-Marie McMurtrie (Centre Hall, Pa. / Penns Valley) answered with a jumper a minute later. In the final minute, McCracken secured a jumper to close out play.
Elizabeth Bennett led the Royals with 22 points and seven rebounds. Kaci Kranson added 18 points, Katie Gorski recorded 12 points, and Meghan Lamanna posted 11.
The Warriors return to the Lamade Gym on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. for a Landmark Conference game against 23rd-ranked Elizabethtown College to start a doubleheader before the men's teams play at 4 p.m.
