| Katie Gorski scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 2 Scranton D-1 surprised Pittsburgh in Sunday’s exhibition game. University of Scranton file photo by Timmy Drewes |
No. 2 Scranton scored a big win for Division III basketball as the Royals shocked the University of Pittsburgh 69-63 on Sunday afternoon.
Scranton opened the game going 6 for 13 from the field, and Sophia Talutto hit two 3-pointers in the first period, the latter giving the Royals a 15-12 lead. Scranton maintained that lead throughout the second quarter, increasing its lead to 14 points on Kaci Kranson’s jumper with 2:10 to play in the first half. Jenna Sloan’s free throw sent Scranton into the locker room with a 37-27 lead.
Pittsburgh opened the second half on a 16-2 run and led 50-44 entering the fourth period. Scranton held the Panthers to one field goal in five minutes and regained the lead 55-53 on Meghan Lamanna’s jumper. Back-to-back threes from Talutto and Lamanna pushed the Royals’ lead to six points and after Pitt got back within two with 28 seconds left, Elizabeth Bennett scored to make the score 67-63. Pitt missed a shot on the ensuing possession, and Kaeli Romanowski added two free throws to complete Scranton’s victory.
Scranton had four players score double figures, led by Bennett (15 points) and Talutto (14 points). Gorski posted a double-double for the Royals (11 points, 10 rebounds), who outscored the Panthers 30-12 from three.
The game is an exhibition for Scranton and does not count toward the Royals’ record, but the result does count for Pitt, which fell to 2-2.
Despite the divisions, the two programs have some connections.
Former Scranton All-American Abby Anderson currently serves as an assistant coach and director of player development for Pitt. Nick DiPillo, who is currently the head coach at Division I Le Moyne, was Scranton’s head coach for three seasons before leaving for an assistant job at Pitt in 2022-23.
Coincidentally, Pitt’s next game is Tuesday night against Le Moyne, while Scranton returns to Division III on Wednesday night with the Landmark Conference opener at Drew.
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