2/1/24
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – A stellar first quarter couldn't be replicated, as Lackawanna College ultimately fell to rival Monroe College, 72-43, on Thursday evening in a NJCAA DI/DII women's basketball crossover match-up at the Lackawanna Student Union.
 
The Falcons (6-11) led at 14-9 in the early proceedings and stayed tight at 20-19 after one quarter of play, but the Mustangs (15-6) began to hit their stride with a 24-point second quarter and shooting 50% from the field in the half, leaving Lackawanna behind by a 44-28 margin at the halftime break. While Monroe cooled off in the second half, the Falcons shot 23% after the break, and were at 27% for the game.
 
Lackawanna was led by Desiree White (First Year; Carlisle, PA) and Jayla South (First Year; Long Pond, PA), who each scored 12 points. South had six rebounds, while Saraiah Franklin (First Year; Philadelphia, PA) had eight points and a team-high eight rebounds.
 
Monroe had four players in double-figures and shot 45.6% for the game. Emma Wilson-Saltos had 17 points and 16 rebounds, both team-high. Carlota Gomez-Alfonso had 16 points, while Shanelle Smith scored 14 points off the bench, and Nicole Bencosme had 13 points and eight assists.
 
Lackawanna gets back to Region XIX Division II play on Saturday, February 3^rd, when the Falcons travel to take on the Middlesex College Colts. Tip is at 1:00pm ET in Edison, NJ, and will be the first game of a doubleheader, with the men's teams following afterwards.