NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Scranton women's basketball team used an eight-point run at the end of the first half to pull away en route to a dominant 72-45 victory over Keene State in the Music City Classic at Volunteer State Community College on Saturday.

The Lady Royals (11-1) scored the final eight points of the first half, capped by a 3-pointer by senior guard Katie Broderick (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield) for a 42-21 edge at the break. Scranton, ranked 20th in the D3hoops.com Top 25, rolled from there to post its sixth straight victory.

Junior guard Bridgette Mann (Canadensis, Pa./Wallenpaupack) had a team-high 15 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. She added four assists, two rebounds and a steal. Broderick, who also hit three 3-pointers, finished with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal. She went 7-for-9 from 3-point range in two games at the Music City Classic.

Sophomore guard Julia Gantz (Havertown, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) had a strong all-around game, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. And senior forward Katie Feehery (Media, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) continued her strong play off the bench with nine points, eight rebounds and two assists.

Scranton finished the afternoon 30-for-62 (48.4 percent) from the field, including 10-for-20 from 3-point range. The Lady Royals made both of their free throw attempts while dominating on the glass with a 38-24 rebounding edge. They also committed just 10 turnovers.

Keene State (2-9) finished hitting just 37.8 percent (17-for-45) from the field, including 8-for-17 (47.1 percent) from 3-point range. The Owls hit 3 of 6 free throws and committed 15 turnovers. Emily McFadden was the lone player in double figures for Keene State, scoring a game-high 20 points.

The Lady Royals will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 6, when they host Elizabethtown in a Landmark Conference matchup at 4 p.m. in the Long Center.

--ROYALS--