#3 Scranton runs past Bates College in a second round game of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament in Pennsylvania Saturday night to advance to the Sweet 16

The #3 nationally ranked Scranton University Lady Royals used a big first half run on Saturday night, in defeating Bates College 70-49 in a second round NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament game played at the John Long Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Scranton now advances to the Sweet 16.

The visiting Bobcats had three early leads in the first quarter, before the Lady Royals would use a huge run to put some big time distance between them and their opponent. The final lead by Bates was 11-9 on a jumper by Sophie Spolter, before Scranton had a spurt of 26-2 over a span of 10:41 that stretched from the first quarter and into the second to take control 35-13. The advantage was 20 at halftime, and the guests never got closer than 15 the rest of the way. 

Sarah Hughes (3-5 three-pointers) had 17 points to lead Bates in the loss, while Elsa Daulerio (Mt. Ararat) put in 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The Bobcats season ends at 17-10. Kaci Kranson led Scranton with a game-high 26 points and 13 rebounds. Meghan Lamanna and Maddie Hartnett also chipped in 10 points each. The Lady Royals are now 28-1 and will take on John Hopkins University in the Sweet 16 next Friday, March 14th. The sectional sites and game times will be announced by the NCAA on Sunday afternoon.