Following a record-setting season that saw the Lady Royals advance to the national championship game, The University of Scranton women's basketball team enters the 2026-27 season with championship aspirations once again under head coach Kaitlyn Lewis, who begins her first season leading the Lady Royals.
 
Scranton, projected to finish first in the Landmark Conference Preseason Poll, comes into the season ranked tied No. 4 nationally in the WBCA preseason poll after finishing last season as the Division III Runners Up. The Lady Royals set a program record last year and led Division III with 32 wins (.970 winning percentage) while scoring 2,613 points and dishing out 640 assists. Scranton also finished the season with the top scoring defense in the country, allowing just 43.3 PPG, showcasing one of the Landmark Conference's most efficient offenses with an equally dominant defense. 

Returning for the Lady Royals is senior Meghan Lamanna, an All-Conference selection last year. Lamanna appeared in 32 games, averaging 10.6 points and 2.3 assists per game. The rising senior shot 45% from the field and ranked 15th in the country in three-point shooting percentage, connecting on 41% of her attempts last season. She also recorded 78 rebounds and 31 steals while scoring in double figures 21 times, establishing herself as one of the conference's top scoring threats.

Also returning for Scranton is senior forward Elizabeth Bennett, an All-Conference selection who appeared in all 33 games last season, averaging 12.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest off the bench. She also contributed 36 assists, 36 blocks and 25 steals while shooting 49% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Bennett reached double figures in scoring 24 times, including a stretch of 11 consecutive games from early February through mid-March. Earlier this week, she was named a D3hoops.com Fifth Team Preseason All-American heading into the upcoming season.

Senior forward Katie Gorski also returns after starting all 33 games last season. She averaged 11.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while contributing 48 assists, 36 blocks, and 47 steals. Gorski shot 51% from the field and scored in double figures 20 times, posting four double-double performances. Her experience and versatility will be valuable assets for the Lady Royals as they look to build on last season's success.  

Reigning Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year and D3hoops.com Region V Rookie of the Year Sophia Talutto also returns after an impressive debut season. Talutto appeared in all 33 games, averaging 7.6 points and 2.0 assists per game. She also recorded 59 rebounds, 24 blocks, and 71 steals, highlighting her ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. 

The Lady Royals have established their dominance in the Landmark Conference, capturing 11 consecutive conference titles. Scranton enters the new season looking to continue their historic run and pursue the program's 15th overall Landmark championship (2007, 2008, 2013, 2015–25). 

Lewis is assisted by Lexie Tarul, Erica Haefele, and Kaeli Romanowski, who will help guide the Lady Royals as they look to build on last season's success.   

2026-27 Landmark Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Scranton - 81 points (9 first-place votes) 
2. Catholic - 71 points (1 first-place vote) 
3. Elizabethtown - 59 points 
4. Susquehanna - 56 points 
5. Drew - 51 points 
6. Moravian - 48 points 
T-7. Lycoming - 22 points 
T-7. Wilkes - 22 points 
9. Juniata - 21 points 
10. Goucher - 19 points 

The Lady Royals open the 2026-27 season on Monday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA.