Knights Fall to Scranton Royals in Showdown

By D.J. Bevivino

NEWBURGH – The Mount Saint Mary College Knights women’s basketball team faced a formidable opponent in the No. 4 Scranton Royals Friday night at the Elaine & William Kaplan Recreation Center, ultimately falling 78-35. Despite a valiant effort, the Knights were unable to overcome the Royals’ superior firepower and disciplined execution.

Scranton, boasting a perfect 11-0 record, came out firing in the first quarter, establishing a 20-6 lead and setting the tone for the game. The Knights struggled to find their rhythm offensively, with Ciarra Quinn (9 points, 3 rebounds) and Brianna Guglielmo (12 points, 7 rebounds) carrying the scoring load early. The Royals, meanwhile, spread the offense evenly, with Maddy Ryan (19 points), Kaci Kranson (8 points), and Maddie Hartnett (15 points) contributing key baskets.

The second quarter saw both teams trade baskets, but Scranton maintained their steady lead, extending it to 48-23 by halftime. The Knights’ defense improved in the second half, but their offense continued to sputter, unable to mount a sustained comeback. Charlotte Twohig (4 points, 2 rebounds) and Lauren Petrie (3 points, 3 rebounds) provided some bright spots for the Knights, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Head Coach Marion Dietz acknowledged the challenge posed by the Royals, stating, “Today was a challenge against a championship caliber team. This season we have been able to get away with small simple mistakes, today our opponent capitalized on them. Sometimes you learn lessons the hard way. Today we needed got this wake up call and we will need to improve and and raise our level. We saw today what high level team winning looks like and this is what we are aiming for.”

While the result wasn’t what the Knights were hoping for, there were still positives to take away from the game. Guglielmo continues to be a force in the paint, and Quinn, Twohig, and Petrie all showed flashes of their potential.

The Knights may have faced a tough setback, but their unwavering dedication and commitment to improvement is sure to see them back on track soon. Mount Saint Mary College basketball fans should stay tuned for their next opportunity to cheer on the Knights on December 31st as they travel to Skidmore College at 2pm.