1/25/21
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Lackawanna College Women's Basketball team fought hard, but couldn't quite overcome the size and strength of Union County College, falling 60-51 on Tuesday night at the Lackawanna Student Union.
 
Lackawanna College (6-7, 2-3) used a 12-2 run in the third quarter to erase an 11-point halftime deficit and get within one point, but the NJCAA DII #11 Owls (15-2, 7-0) fought back for control. The Falcons would mount one last comeback, fighting to get it within a score at 53-51 after a Nya Morris three with 90 seconds to play, but the Owls would score the final seven points to seal the win, their second of the season over Lackawanna College.
 
Union overcame, by their lofty standards, an awful shooting night where they shot just 29% from the field, thanks to a dominant night in the paint. The Owls had a 58-to-25 rebounding advantage, including 28 offensive rebounds, which they turned into 23 second-chance points. They also went 13-for-18 from the free throw line in the second half, while holding the Falcons to 2-for-17 from downtown for the night. Lackawanna College got a game and season-high 22 points from Daeja Cromartie, who also pulled down eight rebounds, while Nya Morris scored 13 points while battling foul trouble. Union had three players in double-figures, and was led by Brianna Mills, who scored 20 points and ten rebounds.
 
The first quarter was defined by hard-nosed defense, as both teams attempted to make each other uncomfortable. After falling behind 5-2, the Falcons took a quick 6-0 run to take an early lead at 8-5, with 6:06 to go in the quarter. Union would answer with a 7-0 run of their own, holding Lackawanna scoreless for 3:18 before a pair of Ny Jackson free throws, and they went nearly 5:30 without a field goal before a Daeja Cromartie lay-up made it 12-all with 37 seconds to go. Cromartie would score again to make it 14-12, Falcons, after one quarter.
 
The second quarter saw the defense for Union tighten, as the Owls, after a Nya Morris bucket made it 18-16 Falcons with 8:23 to go in the half, went on a 17-2 run to break open the game, highlighted by a pair of threes from Jasmine Pierce off the bench. Union got up by as much as 13, with a 33-20 lead with 31 seconds to go, before a Daeja Cromartie lay-up through contact made it 33-22 at the break.
 
The Falcons started the third quarter much like they played in the first, with hard-nosed defense and patient offense, using a 12-2 run to make it 35-34 with 4:38 to go in the third. The Falcons would have an ill-timed scoreless drought that lasted nearly three minutes, while Union went on a 7-0 run to re-take control at 42-34. Cromartie, as she had done in the first two quarters, came up big again as time winded down, breaking the scoreless streak with a jumper in the paint, and then knocking down a corner three just before the horn to bring the Falcons within 44-39 after three.
 
Union scored the first three points of the fourth quarter, but the Falcons clawed it back to within six at 48-42 after a Cromartie bucket with 7:33 to go. The Falcons would get three possessions to get it closer, but couldn't seal the deal, and a pair of free throws put Union up 50-44 with 5:39 remaining. A Cianna Roberts score, followed by yet another Cromartie bucket, made it 50-46, Union, with under four minutes to play. The Owls took a 53-48 lead with 2:51 to go, but a pair of empty possessions left the door ajar for Morris to bang home a three, cutting it to a two-point game at 53-51 with 1:28 remaining. A Jasmine Pierce jumper made it 55-51, and Union would hit five-of-six free throws in the last 43 seconds to seal their victory.
 
Lackawanna College has a quick turnaround, getting back to work at home in the Lackawanna Student Union on Thursday, January 27^th, when they host the Orange County CC Colts. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00pm ET, and will be the first game of a doubleheader, with the men's game to follow.