SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Scranton women's basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament with a 76-59 victory over Bates College Friday night at the John Long Center.
The Basics
- Final Score: Scranton 76, Bates 59
- Records: Scranton (30-0), Bates (26-4)
- With the win, the Lady Royals advance to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season and will face Concordia-Moorhead on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the John Long Center. Concordia-Moorhead advanced after defeating Johns Hopkins 64-59 in the opening Sweet 16 game of the Scranton Sectional.
- The victory also marks the sixth time in program history that Scranton has reached the 30-win mark in a season. With two more victories, the Lady Royals would set a new program record for wins in a single season. Scranton will look to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2019.
How It Happened
- The Lady Royals jumped out to an early lead as senior Kaci Kranson and junior Katie Gorski attacked the paint early. The duo combined for Scranton's first nine points of the night with trips to the free throw line and strong finishes inside.
- Scranton's bench provided a spark midway through the opening quarter as junior Elizabeth Bennett and freshman Sophia Talutto each knocked down three-pointers to stretch the lead to 19-3.
- Talutto and Bennett continued to contribute late in the period as the Lady Royals built a commanding 27-8 lead after the first quarter of play.
- Gorski opened the second quarter with a three-pointer and Kranson followed with an and-one layup after finishing through contact in the paint.
- Bennett connected on her second three-pointer of the game late in the half, and a last-second layup from Kranson sent Scranton into the locker room with a 40-18 lead. The Lady Royals defense was dominant throughout the opening half, holding Bates to just 18 points.
- Kranson and Gorski continued to control the paint in the third quarter as Scranton maintained its advantage, entering the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead.
- Gorski stayed aggressive offensively in the final period, repeatedly attacking the basket on her way to a career-high 23 points.
- Junior Meghan Lamanna added a three-pointer and two additional baskets down the stretch as the Lady Royals closed out the 76-59 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- FG: Scranton 43.8% | Bates 38.5%
- 3PT: Scranton 31.1% | Bates 35.3%
- FT: Scranton 78.9% | Bates 81.3%
- Rebounds: Scranton 43 | Bates 28
Top Performers
Up Next
- Scranton will host Concordia-Moorhead in the Elite Eight on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in the John Long Center with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
- Tickets for Saturday night's game are available here.
- Click here to view the tournament homepage.
