CORTLAND, N.Y. – Returning All-American Kaci Kranson scored 23 points to lead four double-figure scorers as Scranton, ranked second nationally by D3hoops.com and fourth by the WBCA, defeated host Cortland, 69-50. Cortland entered the game ranked seventh by D3hoops.com and 23rd by the WBCA.
Kaeli McAnally (Islip) led Cortland (1-1) with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and had two assists.
Brooke Tillotson (Marathon) added 12 points, hitting 4-of-7 shots, and added two assists, two blocks and two steals, and
Joleen Lusk (Cherry Valley/Cherry Valley-Springfield) totaled eight points and six rebounds.
Sam Dembinsky (Wallkill) scored six points and
Cadence Nicholas (Cortlandt Manor/Walter Panas) finished with five points and six rebounds.
In addition to Kranson's 23 points, which included 9-of-10 free throw shooting, the Royals (2-0) also received 11 points and four rebounds from Elizabeth Bennett and 10 points apiece from Katie Gorski and Meghan Lamanna. Gorski led the team with six rebounds and three blocked shots, and Kaeli Romanowski dished out four assists.
Scranton hit 8-of-13 shots in the first quarter and led 22-11 after 10 minutes. The Royals connected on 9-of-16 shots in the second quarter and grew their lead to 46-28 at halftime. Cortland shot 61 percent (11-of-18) in the first half, but the Red Dragons committed 11 turnovers which led to 11 of Scranton's points.
Both teams' shooting percentages dipped considerably in the second half. Scranton, after shooting 59 percent in the first half, made only 21 percent of its shots in the second half. Cortland went from its 61 percent first-half performance to 37 percent in the second half.
Scranton's lead hovered between 16 and 21 points the entire third quarter, and the Royals entered the fourth up 60-41. Cortland made things interesting with 7-0 run to open the fourth, including five points by McAnally and two
Jackie Funk (Penfield) free throws, to close within 60-48 with 7:42 left. The margin was still 12 at 62-50 with 5:01 left, but Scranton finished the game on a 7-0 run.
Scranton finished the game with 19 points off of 20 Cortland turnovers, and the Royals' grabbed 13 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points.
Cortland will host Ithaca Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
