SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The University of Scranton held off Susquehanna University on Wednesday, defeating the host River Hawks 49-43. The 18th-ranked Lady Royals (13-1, 2-1 Landmark) limited the River Hawks to just 16 first half points and fended off the hosts to notch their eighth consecutive victory.
Sofia Recupero (Whitestone, N.Y./Saint Francis Prep) led a trio of Scranton players in double-figures with 12 points on 6-11 shooting. The sophomore finished the evening one rebound shy of a double-double with nine caroms.
Bridgette Mann (Canadensis, Pa./Wallenpaupack) added 10 points and a game-high four assists. The junior now sits 28 points shy of the 1,000-point plateau. Katie Feehery (Media, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) came off the bench to net 10 points on a 4-6 effort from the floor while blocking a pair of shots.
Scranton scored eight of the first nine points of Wednesday's contest and held a 16-4 advantage at the end of the first period after holding Susquehanna (6-7, 1-2 Landmark) to just one field goal in the opening stanza.
The River Hawks pushed back to within five points before the Lady Royals closed netted six of the final eight points of the second quarter to hold a 25-16 lead at the intermission.
Mann converted a pair of free throws with 1:38 remaining in the third quarter to give Scranton a 34-23 lead, but Susquehanna netted the last five points of the frame to cut the Lady Royals' advantage to six points heading into the final period of regulation.
Makenzie Mason (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) gave the visitors a 39-28 cushion with 8:31 left on the clock with a three-point play, but Susquehanna would not go quietly, narrowing their deficit to five points in the final minute for Scranton was able to close out the victory.
Nevin Hoenninger tallied a game-high 13 points for Susquehanna while Megan McFadden led all players with 10 rebounds in the contest.
The Lady Royals will return home on Saturday to take on Goucher College in a Landmark Conference tilt starting at 4:00 p.m. in the Long Center.