Scranton Hands Trinity Women First Loss of Season

Las Vegas - The 12^th-ranked University of Scranton Royals handed the No. 8 Trinity University Tigers women their first loss of the season with a 65-49 win Sunday at the Trip Sports Las Vegas Hoopla at Centennial Community Center. 

Trinity, playing without sophomore forward Kelsey Goodell of Portland, Ore. (the high scorer in the Tigers' victory Saturday over Beloit), now stands at 6-1. Scranton improved to 7-2.

Tiger sophomore guard Ali Marzella of Katy, Texas (Taylor), led the team with 13 points. Marzella tied for the game-lead in rebounds, with seven, and made four blocks, two assists, and one steal. Junior guard Danielle Hubenak of San Antonio (Churchill) added 10 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

Sophomore forward Abby Dietert of Cibolo, Texas (Steele), scored eight points, sinking all four free throw attempts, and had six rebounds. She also made a block and a steal. Coming up with two steals were junior post Lindsey Hovland of Colleyville, Texas (Heritage) (two points, four rebounds); senior post Alexandra Blake of Belleville, Ill. (John Burroughs) (three points, four rebounds); and junior forward Megan D'Errico of Issaquah, Wash. (Skyline) (five points, two rebounds).

Scranton held a 36-22 halftime lead, shooting 32 percent to Trinity's 29 percent. The Royals led by as much as 19 points in the half, 25-6, with 10:34 on the clock. Scranton led by 21 points, 51-30, at 13:34 in the second half. The Tigers came no closer than 14 points (43-57, 6:08) from that mark.

Jennifer King paced Scranton with 16 points, and Molly Klusek added 14.

Trinity shot 28 percent in the game, to 35 percent for Scranton. The Royals led 50-40 in rebounding, and 21-14 in offensive boards.

The Tigers return home Dec. 28-29 to host the Texas Challenge in Sams Gym.