12/9/21
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – Mahogony Collins set a Lackawanna College in-game record with 13 blocks, highlighting a masterful defensive effort from the Lackawanna College Women's basketball team, as the Falcons defeated the NJCAA DIII #13 Northampton Community College Spartans, 76-53, at the Lackawanna Student Union on Thursday evening.
 
Collins had eleven of her 13 blocks in the first half, as the Falcons (3-3) overcame a sluggish first quarter to erupt for 26 points in the second, while holding their opponents to just nine points. Lackawanna College held the 13^th-ranked Spartans (7-4) to just 22% shooting in the first half, 29% for the game, while forcing 18 turnovers on the night, resulting in a 26-to-6 points of turnover advantage for the Falcons.
 
The Falcons had three players in double-figures, with Nya Morris leading all scorers with 17 points. Morris also dished out a game-high seven assists, five rebounds, and snagged a pair of steals. Gabrielle Jackson was second on the team with 16 points, going 5-for-12 from the field. Ashante Amos also added ten points and four assists of her own. Collins fell just shy of a triple-double, scoring eight points and grabbing eleven rebounds, in addition to her 13 blocks.
 
The game started poorly for Lackawanna College, which fell behind 7-1 after the first few minutes of action. The defense seemed to perk up once Collins was subbed into the contest, using her long reach to reject several shots inside and give the Falcons a little momentum, which they turned into points on the other end. Eventually, the Falcons were able to catch up to Northampton, taking a 16-14 lead after the first quarter.
 
Lackawanna College would lean on that defense more in the second quarter, turning it into points on the other end, and getting out in transition against the Spartans. A few more Collins rejections at the rim would set up run outs and lay-ups for the Falcons, who used a 13-2 run in the first five minutes of the second quarter to grab a 29-16 lead. The lead would balloon further, growing to 19, as the Falcons led 42-23 at the break.
 
In the second half, it was more of the same from Lackawanna College, as the defense set the table for transition baskets from the combination of Jackson, Amos, and Morris, gifting the Falcons a 63-36 lead after three quarters. After the Falcons took a 76-44 lead inside of five minutes to play, the Spartans would make a run at the end of the game, going on a 9-2 run to get to the 76-53 final.
 
It's the second straight win for the Falcons, who will next play the Raritan Valley CC Lions on Thursday, December 16^th at the Lackawanna Student Union. That match-up is set for a 5:00pm tipoff, and is the final home basketball event before the end of the fall semester.