The University of Scranton women's basketball team took advantage of its size underneath and the hot shooting of senior guard Lia DiSciascio (Broomall, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) to defeat King's, 74-52, in the Lady Royals' home opener on Tuesday night in the Long Center.

DiSciascio made five 3-pointers for her 15 points, and in the inside tandem of senior forward Meredith Mesaris (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) and sophomore forward Alexix Roman (Hawley, Pa./Wallenpaupack) combined for 36 points and 17 rebounds. Scranton held a decisive 51-28 advantage on the glass that included 20 offensive rebounds that led to 22 second-chance points.

Scranton (5-0) held a 33-20 advantage at halftime despite struggling from the field, making 12 of 37 field goal attempts (32.4 percent), including just two of 13 from 3-point range, in the opening 20 minutes. But the Lady Royals forced 10 turnovers and held King's to just 7-for-25 (28 percent) to take that double-digit lead into the locker room.

The Lady Royals then found their shooting touch in the second half, going 16-for-30 (53.3 percent), including a perfect 3-for-3 from DiSciascio from beyond the arc. Roman had 12 points and Mesaris had 11 in the second half as Scranton flexed its inside muscle to take full control.

Mesaris finished the night with 19 points, marking the fifth time in five games she has led Scranton in scoring. Roman had 17 points in 20 minutes, and DiSciascio contributed nine rebounds, three assists and two steals to go along with her 15 points. Her five 3-pointers give her 106 for her career, moving her into seventh place on Scranton's all-time list for career 3-pointers made.

Scranton also got nine points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist from junior guard Noelle Alicea (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East), as well as six points, six rebounds and five assists from sophomore forward Sarah Payonk (Schwenksville, Pa./Spring-Ford). Senior guard Lindsay Fluehr (Bensalem, Pa./Nazareth Academy) added six points, five assists and four rebounds in the win.

The Lady Royals finished the night shooting 41.8 percent (28-for-67), including 5-for-20 from 3-pointr range, and made 13 of 17 free throws. They committed 16 turnovers while making 10 steals.

King's (2-3) received a team-high 15 points from sophomore forward Kayla Feairheller (Downingtown, Pa./Central Bucks West). The Lady Monarchs finished the night shooting 33.3 percent (18-for-54), including 5-for-18 from 3-point range. They made 11 of 18 free throws and committed 17 turnovers.

Scranton returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 6, when the Lady Royals open Landmark Conference play by hosting Juniata at 2 p.m. in the Long Center.

--ROYALS--