GWYNEDD VALLEY  (PA) – Freshman Brenna Coll scored a game-high 16 points as Delaware Valley College posted a 53-48 victory over perennial power and former Freedom Conference foe University of Scranton in the opening round of the 2011 Gwynedd-Mercy College Tip-Off Tournament.

The Aggies improved to 2-0 on the young season and advanced to Saturday's tournament championship game (3:00 p.m.) where they will take on the winner of tonight's other first round matchup between the host school and Lycoming College. Scranton, which is now a member of the Landmark Conference, saw its mark fall to 0-2.

Coll was 5-for-8 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from long range. Two of her treys came at the end of a 13-2, second-half run that helped turn a 31-29 Delaware Valley deficit into a 42-33 advantage with seven minutes remaining.

The Lady Royals responded with an 11-2 spurt, including five points by Allison Sweeney to tie the contest at 44-44 with 3:46 left on the clock. After an Aggie free throw, Shernai Bentley hit a layup with 2:25 to go to give Scranton a one-point lead.

From there, it was all Delaware Valley as it scored eight of the game's final 10 points. The run began with a Jackie Shunkwiler layup with 2:08 remaining and, after both teams had opportunities, Brittany Battinieri hit a layup with 50 ticks left for a 49-46 advantage.

After a Lady Royal turnover Battinieri was sent to the foul line with 30 seconds remaining and the senior hit one of two free throws to make it a two-possession game. Scranton missed a 3-point attempt and Battinieri was fouled again after snagging the rebound. She made one of two foul shots for a 51-46 lead. Katherine Turto hit a jumper at the other end and the Lady Royals called time with 12 seconds left. Four seconds later, Delaware Valley freshman Grace Mirack was fouled and she calmly hit both her free throws to seal the win.

Scranton led by as many as 13 in the first half, but the Aggies went on a 16-6 run to trail by just three, 27-24, at the intermission. Coll and fellow rookie Kaylin Ryan keyed the spurt with five points apiece. Delaware Valley then used its two runs, one at each end of the second half, for the win.

Battinieri finished with nine points and three assists while fellow senior Sarah Delcasale added eight points off the bench. Emily Soper had five points and a team-high seven rebounds in the win.

Sweeney and Torto had 11 points apiece and the two combined for 11 rebounds for the Lady Royals. Sarah Gage led all players with 12 rebounds.