Penn State Scranton Lady Lions Basketball Drops their Season Opener

By: Ross Turetsky, Penn State Scranton Athletics

On Saturday afternoon, the Penn State Scranton Lady Lions basketball squad lost their season opener by 16 points, 68-52, to the visiting Vaughn College Warriors to kick-off their 2022-2023 campaign.

After being all knotted up at 8-8 at the end of the first quarter, Scranton continued to play tough and keep the game close, as they only trailed by a mere five points, 25-20, at the half-time break in the action. However, Vaughn College would pull away in the second half, as they outscored the Lady Lions 23-16 in the third quarter to take a 48-36 advantage heading into the fourth and final quarter. In the fourth frame, Vaughn College outscored Scranton 20-16 to give them the nice 16 point cushion they would enjoy at the game's final whistle.

On the day, Scranton had two note-worthy double-digit scoring performances, as senior Sam Collins and newcomer Ashlyn McNally set the pace on offense. Collins scored a team-high 27 points, and recorded a dominant double-double in the contest, as she picked up 18 rebounds, to go along with her four assists, while playing the entire 40 minutes of the ball game. McNally scored 10 points, connecting on two of her five shots from beyond the arc, to go along with her four rebounds, and three assists. Honorable mention also goes to freshman Megan Gatto, who grabbed 13 rebounds, to go along with her six points, and five assists in the matchup.

For Vaughn College, it was the dynamic duo of freshman Tehilyah Murray and sophomore Eliyah Howard that combined to score an awe-inspiring 66 out of their team's 68 total points on the day. Murray scored a game-high 35 points, and picked up a double-double, as she tallied 14 rebounds, to go along with her seven steals, and three assists. Last but certainly not least, Howard scored a stellar 31 points, and also recorded a double-double, as she pulled down ten boards, to go along with her six steals, and seven assists while playing the entire ball game.

Now head coach Tom McIntyre and his 0-1 Penn State Scranton Lady Lions basketball squad will look to shake off this season opening non-conference loss when they take their home court again this upcoming Friday, November 11^th, on Veteran's Day, when they host their own two day tip-off tournament and will take on Five Towns College with the contest scheduled to begin at 6pm. Meanwhile, head coach Omari Wright and his 1-0 Vaughn College Warriors ball club will look to continue their winning ways in their next matchup when they host Webb Institute on Tuesday, November 15^th, at 6pm.