“ROYALS RISE: SCRANTON DOMINATES CONCORDIA–MOORHEAD TO POWER INTO FINAL FOUR”

WRITTEN BY: JERIC YURKANIN

From the opening tip, it was clear the University of Scranton Royals had one goal in mind — control the pace, dictate the rhythm, and put Concordia–Moorhead on their heels early.

And that is exactly what happened.

Playing with confidence and sharp execution on both ends of the floor, Scranton delivered an impressive performance Saturday night inside the John Long Center, storming to a 38–21 halftime lead and never looking back on the way to a convincing 67–42 victory over Concordia–Moorhead.

The Royals didn’t just take the lead early — they owned the game from start to finish.

By the time the final horn sounded, Scranton had controlled nearly every aspect of the matchup, combining defensive pressure, efficient offense, and balanced scoring to secure the win.

But the foundation of the victory was built during a dominant first half.

And according to Royals guard Kaci Kranson, that mentality didn’t start on Saturday night. It started months ago.

“Coming off last year’s Elite Eight loss to Stout, we knew this season we wanted to make it farther into the Final Four,” Kranson said. “So we all just had the mindset of being aggressive, staying composed, and working together collectively.”

That mindset showed immediately.

Scranton came out aggressive, closing passing lanes, contesting shots, and forcing Concordia into uncomfortable offensive possessions. The Royals’ defensive pressure immediately began to pay dividends.

Concordia struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting just 34.8 percent from the field (8-of-23) during the first half. Meanwhile, Scranton’s defense generated seven steals and forced eight turnovers, creating extra possessions that the Royals quickly turned into points.

What made the performance even more impressive was Scranton’s discipline with the basketball.

While Concordia struggled with ball control, Scranton played nearly flawless offensive basketball, committing only one turnover in the entire first half. That level of composure allowed the Royals to consistently set up their offense and keep the pressure on.

And when Scranton found its offensive rhythm, the results came quickly.

The Royals shot an efficient 48.5 percent from the floor (16-of-33) in the opening half, consistently finding high-percentage shots both inside and in transition.

One of the driving forces behind the offensive attack was Katie Gorski, who made her presence felt around the basket early and often. Gorski attacked the rim with confidence, finishing strong in traffic and helping Scranton establish control in the paint.

By halftime, the Royals had built a commanding 24–10 advantage in points in the paint — a clear sign of their physical presence inside.

But Scranton’s offense wasn’t built around one player.

The Royals moved the basketball extremely well, recording 10 assists on their 16 made field goals, showcasing the kind of unselfish team play that has defined their season.

“That is something that is very important especially in NCAA games,” Kranson said. “Every team we will face is the best of the best, so with everyone contributing it just helps the team’s success as a whole. Every member of our team works hard every day in practice which helps when it comes to the games.”

Jenna Sloan helped orchestrate the offense with strong decision-making and timely passing, while Meghan Lamanna provided another offensive spark by attacking off the dribble and finishing through contact.

Defensively, Lamanna also contributed with a key steal that helped ignite one of Scranton’s scoring runs.

Those runs proved critical as the Royals gradually expanded their lead.

After building an early advantage, Scranton began to create separation midway through the half with a series of defensive stops and transition baskets. The Royals pushed the lead into double digits and never allowed Concordia to mount a serious comeback attempt.

At one point, Scranton extended the margin to 20 points, their largest lead of the half.

Concordia did manage a few offensive highlights of their own.

Maya Metcalf knocked down a three-pointer and later attacked the rim for a basket that briefly trimmed the deficit. But each time Concordia tried to gain momentum, the Royals quickly answered with another defensive stop or scoring play.

Scranton also held a 6–0 edge in fast-break points, another sign of how effectively the Royals turned defense into offense.

On the glass, the rebounding battle remained competitive, but Scranton’s ability to secure key rebounds prevented Concordia from generating second-chance opportunities.

Royals Sophia Tatutto said that controlling the defensive boards was one of the team’s biggest priorities coming into the game.

“Defensive rebounding was huge for us tonight,” Tatutto explained. “We knew coming in that if we limited their second-chance opportunities it would really help us control the pace of the game.”

Tatutto noted that the emphasis on finishing defensive possessions was something the team focused on collectively.

“Everyone was focused on boxing out and finishing possessions, and I think that made a big difference in allowing us to get stops and then push the ball the other way.”

The Royals also maintained strong discipline defensively, avoiding foul trouble while continuing to contest shots and pressure ball handlers.

By halftime, the numbers told the story of a team firmly in control.

Scranton led in shooting percentage, assists, steals, fast-break points, and points in the paint — all signs of a team executing its game plan nearly perfectly.

Perhaps the most impressive statistic remained the turnover column.

Scranton’s one turnover compared to Concordia’s eight highlighted just how clean and efficient the Royals played throughout the opening twenty minutes.

When the teams headed to the locker room, the scoreboard reflected what the crowd had watched unfold on the court.

Scranton 38, Concordia–Moorhead 21.

But if Concordia hoped to mount a comeback in the second half, Scranton quickly erased any doubt.

The Royals opened the third quarter with the same energy and focus that fueled their first-half success.

“We knew that this team was going to come out strong in the second half,” Kranson said. “So we just reminded ourselves to stay composed coming out of the locker room.”

Scranton continued to pressure Concordia defensively while keeping the offense balanced and patient.

Midway through the third quarter, Kranson delivered one of the biggest momentum plays of the night, knocking down a three-pointer off an assist from Meghan Lamanna to stretch the Royals’ lead even further.

Moments later, Jenna Sloan added another key basket in the paint, continuing Scranton’s dominance inside.

Concordia fought to stay within striking distance behind the efforts of Metcalf and Kaia Gack, but every time the visitors found a scoring opportunity, Scranton responded.

The Royals maintained their offensive efficiency while continuing to create turnovers and push the pace.

By the end of the third quarter, Scranton had extended its advantage to 51–35, firmly in control with just one quarter remaining.

The fourth quarter became more about finishing the job.

Scranton continued to attack offensively, with Lamanna scoring in the paint early in the period after a steal sparked another transition opportunity.

Kranson added points from the free-throw line, while Sloan knocked down a clutch three-pointer that pushed the Royals’ lead beyond twenty.

The Royals’ defense never relented.

Scranton continued to disrupt Concordia’s offense, forcing tough shots and limiting second chances while controlling the tempo of the game.

By the time the final minutes ticked away, the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Scranton closed the night with a 67–42 victory, completing a dominant performance from start to finish.

The Royals finished the game shooting 47.4 percent from the field, while holding Concordia to just 34.2 percent shooting.

Scranton also controlled the paint, scoring 36 points inside while forcing 20 Concordia turnovers that turned into 21 points off turnovers.

The balanced scoring effort was another key factor.

Kranson led the Royals with 15 points, while Gorski added 13, Lamanna finished with 11, and both Sloan and Elizabeth Bennett contributed 7 points each.

For Concordia–Moorhead, Metcalf led the team with 17 points while Alexa Snesrud added eight.

But throughout the night, Scranton’s defensive intensity and offensive efficiency proved too much to overcome.

Inside the locker room after the game, the emotions of the moment were impossible to ignore.

Tatutto reflected on what the victory meant for a team that has spent months grinding toward this stage of the season.

“Honestly, it was just an emotional moment,” Tatutto said. “When I walked into the locker room and looked around at everyone, it really hit me how much work we’ve all put in since the beginning of the season. Early mornings, tough practices, staying connected as a team — it all led to this moment. I just felt really proud of this group and grateful to be part of it.”

That connection inside the locker room has been a defining characteristic of this year’s Royals team.

“It means everything,” Tatutto added. “We have a locker room where everyone genuinely wants the best for each other, and I think that shows on the court. When someone makes a big play, the whole bench is up celebrating. That kind of trust and energy makes the game more fun and helps us play more confidently because we know we have each other’s backs.”

For Kranson, the victory represented more than just a spot in the next round — it represented the payoff of months of work.

“This is a night that I will never forget,” Kranson said. “We as a team have worked so hard for this moment and I’m just so incredibly proud of all of my teammates.”

She also pointed to something that has fueled the Royals all season long — the energy inside the John Long Center and the support of the Scranton community.