SCRANTON, PA (November 20, 2021) -- In the opening round of the Cross County Challenge, the King's College women's basketball team fell to #12 University of Scranton on their home court in the John Long Center, 80-56, on Saturday afternoon. King's falls to 2-2 overall while Scranton improves to 3-1.

The Lady Royals stormed out to an early 14-0 lead before a layup from junior Emily Morano with 3:54 to play in the opening quarter broke the scoring drought. The Monarchs used a 6-2 run over the stretch, trailing 16-8 after one quarter of action.

King's got a three from first year Alli Lindsay on their opening possession of the second quarter but could not convert offensively again until the 2:59 mark. A 6-3 run down the final moments of the half saw the Monarchs behind, 39-18, at the halftime break.

Scranton maintained a 20-point lead for most of the second half before back-to-back threes from seniors Samantha Rajza and Emily Kriston to start the fourth quarter put the Monarchs within 16, 59-43, with 8:52 to play. Their efforts as they scored 19 points in the final stanza came up just short, as King's fell, 80-56 to the host Lady Royals.

Rajza continues to lead the Monarchs offense with 16 points, adding five boards, two assists, and a steal. Lindsay was great off the bench, scoring 14 points with four threes and two dimes, while Morano added 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Kriston also filled the stat sheet with seven points, four boards, two helpers, and two steals.

The Lady Royals were led by Bridget Monaghan with 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting, adding four assists and three steals. Abby Anderson finished just one rebound shy of a double-double with 15 points and nine boards.

As a team, King's shot 33.3 percent (20-60) from the floor and dished out 10 assists on their 20 field goals. They also got eight turnovers on 12 Scranton turnovers.

King's has a quick turnaround as they face Marywood University in the second round of the Cross County Challenge tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the John Long Center.