The University of Scranton women's basketball team played strong defense and used hot second-half shooting to cruise to an 82-43 victory over Juniata in the Lady Royals' Landmark Conference opener on Saturday in the John Long Center.

Senior forward Meredith Mesaris (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) led Scranton (6-0, 1-0 Landmark) with a game-high 22 points and six rebounds. Sophomore forward Sarah Payonk (Schwenksville, Pa./Spring-Ford) added 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Scranton shot 46.3 percent (31-for-67) for the game, including 17-for-29 (58.6 percent) in the second half. The Lady Royals made six of nine second-half 3-pointers, including a perfect 3-for-3 by senior guard Lia DiSciascio (Broomall, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara).

Despite the offensive highlights, which included 13 first-half offensive rebounds, the Lady Royals' best work was on the defensive end. They held Juniata (1-6, 0-2 Landmark) to just 12-for-43 (27.9 percent) from the field, including six of 22 (27.3 percent) en route to a 33-19 halftime lead. Scranton also allowed just seven offensive rebounds while winning the battle on the boards, 46-27.

Senior guard Lindsay Fluehr (Bensalem, Pa./Nazareth Academy) had a strong game at both ends of the floor, finishing with seven points, all in the first half, along with nine assists, six rebounds and five steals. DiSciascio added nine points, four rebounds and two assists, and sophomore forward Alexix Roman (Hawley, Pa./Wallenpaupack) also chipped in with seven points, five rebounds and two steals.

Thirteen different players scored for the Lady Royals, who committed just 11 turnovers while forcing 19 miscues by the Eagles.

Mesaris has now led Scranton in scoring in all six games this season and is now averaging 21.8 points per game.

Scranton now has a seven-day break before returning to action on Sunday, Dec. 14, when Merchant Marine Academy comes to the Long Center for a Landmark Conference game at 2 p.m.

--ROYALS--