1/26/23
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – Lackawanna College women's basketball will look to get off a two-game slide this evening when it hosts its cross-divisional rivals, the Northampton CC Spartans, in Scranton.
 
The game is set for a 5:00pm ET tip-off inside the Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium. Admission is open to the public and tickets will be sold at the door for both students ($3) and adults ($5). Free admission with a Lackawanna College ID. If you can't make the game, there will be a pay-per-view video livestream available via the Lackawanna College Athletics and Region 19 Sports Networks. Steve Young will provide the play-by-play, while Sports Information Director Tom Ferguson will provide the color commentary. You can access the stream at lackawannafalcons.com/LIVE, or on smartphones and tablets via the Region 19 Sports Network app.
 
About The Falcons
Lackawanna College (7-7) enters the game on a two-game skid, having most recently lost on a last-second shot to Essex County College in Newark this past Tuesday, 54-52. Against the Wolverines, the Falcons held a three-point lead with under two minutes to go, but missed on three straight possessions, including a point-blank look to take the lead with under 25 to play. Essex almost lost the ball in the lane on the ensuing possession, but a Wolverine scooped up the loose ball and flicked up a shot in the lane that dropped through just as the horn sounded. Nya Jackson led the Falcons with 18 points and four rebounds, while Mahogony Collins added nine points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks.
 
The Falcons are averaging 62 points per game, and are giving up 61.5 points per game on the year. The Falcons are hitting around 35% from the field, and are holding opponents to 33% on the year. Lackawanna College has struggled from deep, shooting just 19% from downtown this year. Lackawanna is hitting 65% of its free throws this season, going 158-for-244 on the year. The Falcons hold a +3 rebounding margin so far this season, and have forced an average of 16 turnovers per game this season, while giving the ball up around 17 times per game. The Falcons average just under five blocks per game, defensively, and they average around eight steals per game, while their opponents are up to ten swipes per contest.  
 
The Falcons are balanced, with five players averaging eight points or more per game this season. Last year's second-leading scorer, and 2^nd Team All-Region selection, Gabrielle Jackson (Darby Twp, PA), is first on the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game. Jackson is pulling down 4.8 rebounds per contest, and has 31 total assists, first on the team, while putting up 14 total steals so far this year in 12 games. Jackson, back for her third year, is second on the team in field goal percentage (41%) and has made 22 free throws on the year for a 58% clip. Jackson has scored in double-figures seven times this season, going for a season-best 20 points in the win vs. Morris. Jackson hit a season-high ten shots from the floor, and set a season-high in rebounds (9), while tying season-highs in steals (3) and assists (5). Gabby has scored in double-figures just once in her last four games. She had eight points and matched a season-high with nine rebounds against Essex on Tuesday night. Against Northampton last year, she had 16 points in a 76-53 win for the Falcons.    
 
Nya Jackson (Harrisburg, PA), a returner from last year, is second on the team, averaging 9.7 points per game. Jackson averages just under four rebounds per game, and is second on the team in assists, putting up 28 on the year. Jackson is shooting 29% from the field, but is 31-for-39 from the free throw line on the season, a team-best 79% average. Jackson has 15 steals, third on the team this season. Jackson has scored in double-figures six times this season, and had her season-best performance against Essex, where she scored a season-high 18 points on 7-for-17 shooting, knocking down two three-pointers and pulling down four rebounds. Jackson had five points and two rebounds off the bench in the win vs. Northampton last year.       
 
Sidney Spence (Bronx, NY) is third on the squad, averaging 8.8 points per game on the year. Spence leads the team in shooting, hitting 45% of her shots this year, and is fourth on the team in free throw percentage, hitting 68% of her shots from the charity stripe this season, where she is second on the team in makes (28). She's third on the team in rebounds (5.6 per game) and has 17 steals this year, tied for the team lead this season. Spence has scored in double-figures eight times this year, including three of her four games in the spring semester, and had a season-best 19 points in 23 minutes in the win over Jamestown. Spence was 7-for-16 form the field, and went 5-for-7 from the free throw line, while tying her season-high with nine rebounds in the win over the Jayhawks. Spence scored four points and had six rebounds in 16 minutes in the loss to Essex on Tuesday.
 
Cianna Roberts (Brooklyn, NY), who played a majority of bench minutes a year ago, is fourth on the team, averaging 8.2 points per game and pulling down just under four rebounds per game. Roberts is hitting around 36% of her shots this year, and has been the most accurate of the three-point shooters for the Falcons, going 11-for-44 from deep this year. Cianna's eleven makes from deep are second on the team. Roberts is tied with Spence for the team lead with 17 steals on the year. She's also third on the team with 22 total assists this year. Roberts has scored in double-figures five times this season, including a season-best 17 points in the win over Union in December. Roberts was 7-for-9 from the field, and had five rebounds and two assists to help the Falcons to victory. Against Monroe CC, Roberts had her first double-double as a Falcon, going for 14 points and ten rebounds in the win. Roberts was 5-for-13 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range. Cianna scored four points and had two assists in 23 minutes against Essex on Tuesday evening. She had two points in 16 minutes off the bench a year ago against Northampton.
 
Dominique Geiger (Plainfield, NJ) has had a good start to her first season as a Falcon, averaging just under eight points per game this year. Geiger is hitting 34% of her shots this year, and has made eight three-point shots, which is third on the team this year. Geiger has 14 steals on the season and also has 17 assists. She's gone for double-digits in points in four games, including against Morris, where she set her season-high with 25 points. Geiger was 11-for-22 from the floor, and hit three three-point shots, while grabbing four rebounds and setting her season-high in steals with three swipes on the evening. Dominique had a rough night against Essex, going 0-for from the field on the night and getting held scoreless in the loss. She did have four rebounds, two steals, and an assist.  
 
Mahogony Collins (Harrisburg, PA) is up to 5.6 points per game this year, and averages 10.8 rebounds per game, tops on the team. Collins has also denied a team-best 63 shots this year, good for 4.8 blocks per game. That rate has Collins ranked among the best in the country, second in all of the NJCAA Division II players. Collins is now shooting 39% from the field this year, and has 36 offensive rebounds on the year. Collins got her season and career-high in points against Essex in November, where she scored 18 points and had 13 rebounds, along with six blocks.  She's crossed double-digits in rebounds seven times this year, already. Collins set her season-high in rebounding with 21 boards against Monroe College Bronx, and then set her season-high in blocks with eight rejections in the game against Chesapeake. She also had eight points and nine rebounds in the win. Against Essex on Tuesday, Collins had nine points, 12 boards, and five blocks in the loss. Against Northampton last year, Collins had a double-double with eleven rebounds and a career-high 13 blocks, as well as eight points in the win.
 
The newest face in the women's basketball program is Monica Spence, entering her first year in charge of the program. Spence follows in the footsteps of Joya Whittington, who was third all-time in wins as a coach and led the Falcons to several stops in the national tournament. Spence joined as an assistant last season, and was elevated to head coach with Whittington's departure. Spence has spent time as a coach at the youth level, as well as the semi-professional men's basketball level.
 
About the Opponents
The Northampton Community College Spartans (10-5) are 4-0 in the spring 2023 semester, and come into tonight's clash after a 76-58 win over Nassau CC this past Saturday at home. In the win at home, the Spartans broke open a tight game early in the third quarter with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the Lions 26-14 in the final period, shooting 44% from the field, making three three-pointers, and going 7-for-7 from the free throw line down the stretch to pull away for the win. The Spartans overcame 33 turnovers, outscoring Nassau 32-14 in the paint, and holding a 70-42 rebounding advantage. Xion Spence led the way with 21 points and 21 rebounds, going 11-for-13 from the free throw line. Shanaiya Ellis had 13 points and five boards, while Zoe Cruz put up 12 points and three boards, as well as three steals.   
 
The Spartans are averaging just under 71 points per game, while giving up 54.5 on the year. They shoot around 37% as a team, and are hitting just under 29% of their three-point attempts. Spartan opponents have been held to just 30% and 24% from the field and three-point range, respectively. Northampton owns a +20 rebounding margin on the year, and averages 23 offensive boards per game. The Spartans average 21 turnovers per game, but force around 20 turnovers themselves. The Spartans, and their opponents, each average eleven steals per game.
 
Northampton are well-balanced on offense, with five players averaging seven or more points this season. Aslyn Toledo Rivera leads the team with 14.4 points per game this year. Toledo Rivera averages 43% from the field and is a 31% shooter from downtown, while hitting around 62% of her free throws this year. Toledo Rivera averages 6.3 rebounds per game, third on the team, as well as 1.8 steals per game (tied for 3^rd) and 1.5 blocks per game (1^st on the team). She has scored in double-figures eight times this season, going for a season-best 24 points against Passaic back on December 8^th. In the loss, she was 8-for-15 form the floor, and 8-for-9 from the free throw line, grabbing four rebounds. She has one double-double on the year, going for 14 points and eleven rebounds in a win over Lehigh Carbon back in November. She had six points and two rebounds off the bench last year against Lackawanna College. She has not played yet this spring semester.  
 
Alayna Day is second on the team, averaging 10.9 points per game this season. Day is a 33% shooter, and hits 28% of her shots from downtown, while shooting a team-best 68.7% from the free throw line. Day is averaging 4.9 rebounds per game, and leads the Spartans in assists, dishing out 2.3 per game this year. She's also tied with Toledo Rivera and one other player for third on the team with 1.8 steals per game this year. Day has scored in double-figures ten times this season, scoring her season-best 19 points in a loss to SUNY Broome back on November 3^rd. In that game, she was 6-for-8 from the floor, and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Day has one double-double this year, going for 16 points and a season-high ten rebounds in a win over Montgomery County CC. She set her season-high in assists against Philadelphia, putting up six helpers and scoring 17 points in a win in early December. Against Nassau, she had a tough shooting night, going just 1-for-15 and scoring four points in the win. Last year, against the Falcons, she had eight points and five boards.
 
Kania Day is third on the team, averaging ten points per game this season. Day is a 46% shooter this season, best on the team. Day averages 8.4 rebounds per game, second on the squad, and just under four offensive rebounds per game. She also averages just under one block per game. Day has scored in double-figures five times this year, three times over 20 points. Her best came in the first game of the year, where she put up 23 points on 11-for-19 shooting in a dominant win over Bucks County CC back in November. Day has four double-doubles on the season, scoring 21 points and pulling down a season-best 16 rebounds in a 70-58 win over Raritan earlier this month. She's pulled down double-digit rebounds six times this year. Against Nassau, Day had four points and six rebounds in the victory.
 
Zoe Cruz is averaging 8.7 points per game this season, fourth on the squad. Cruz is a 35% shooter, and is hitting around 29% from three-point range on the year. Cruz averages 2.2 assists per game, second on the team, and averages around 1.5 steals per contest. Cruz has scored in double-figures four times this year, putting up a season-best 19 points in a 76-47 win over Lehigh Carbon last week. She was 8-for-14 and made three three-pointers in the win. She had a season-best five assists in the win over Montco back in November. Cruz has scored in double-figures in her last two games, and had 12 points against Nassau on the weekend.
 
Deovion Yates is averaging 7.5 points per game this year, shooting 35% from the field, and averaging 61% from the free throw line this year. Yates averages 4.7 rebounds per game, and leads the Spartans with 1.9 steals per contest this year. Yates also averages just a shade under two assists per game. Yates has scored in double-figures five times this year, going for her season-high in the first game of the year against Bucks County, where she put up 16 points in the win. Twice this year, Yates has gone for double-digit rebounds, putting up ten boards against Prince George's CC back in November, and then again against Nassau this past weekend. She also had four points in the win over Nassau. She had two points and three rebounds in the loss to Lackawanna last season.
 
The aforementioned Xion Spence is averaging 6.2 points per game this year, and a team-best 9.9 rebounds per game. She's a 33% shooter on the year, and is hitting under 47% from the free throw line. Spence has scored in double-figures just three times this season, and set her season-high with her 21 points on 5-for-14 shooting against Nassau. She was 11-for-13 from the free throw line, and also posted her season-high with 21 rebounds in the win. It was the last of her three double-doubles this year. Six times, Spence has gone over double-digits in rebounds. Against Lackawanna last year, she had seven points and ten rebounds.
 
The head coach for Northampton is Terrence Bomar, in his second official season at the helm for the Spartans. Bomar was hired in April of 2020, and helped guide the program through the COVID-19 pandemic, despite not playing during the 2020-2021 campaign. Prior to his hiring at Northampton, Bomar was a volunteer assistant coach at both Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg North HS boys basketball programs. Before that, he was an assistant at Lackawanna College from 2016 through 2018, helping coach Joya Whittington and the Falcons to a combined 44 wins in two seasons, including an appearance in the NJCAA Tournament in the 2016-2017 season. Bomar also spent time as the head girls basketball coach at East Stroudsburg North for four seasons, prior to his time at Lackawanna. Bomar is a 2006 graduate of Kutztown University, where he majored in Sport Management, and he has since earned a pair of master's degrees from East Stroudsburg (Master of Education in elementary education in 2010, Master of Administration Leadership in 2018). In his time at Northampton, Bomar is 24-12, including going 14-7 last season, capturing an EPAC championship and making the Region XIX playoffs in Division III.
  
The Match-Up
The game is set for a 5:00pm ET tip-off inside the Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium. Admission is open to the public and tickets will be sold at the door for both students ($3) and adults ($5). Free admission with a Lackawanna College ID. If you can't make the game, there will be a pay-per-view video livestream available via the Lackawanna College Athletics and Region 19 Sports Networks. Steve Young will provide the play-by-play, while Sports Information Director Tom Ferguson will provide the color commentary. You can access the stream at lackawannafalcons.com/LIVE, or on smartphones and tablets via the Region 19 Sports Network app.
 
The next game for the Falcons will be a massive Region XIX Division II battle at #20 Union County College on Tuesday, January 31^st. That game is set for a 6:00pm ET tip-off in Cranford, NJ. The Falcons defeated Union 74-51 in their first meeting back in December.