1/28/25
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – A career-best performance off the bench from E'ternity Aiken propelled Lackawanna women's basketball to an impressive 80-70 win at home against Raritan Valley CC in Region XIX DII women's basketball action on Tuesday night at the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium.
 
The Falcons (14-6, 9-4) came into the contest needing a win to move into third place in the Region XIX DII standings, and trailed late in the third quarter, 51-48, but used a key 15-3 run over the next five minutes of game time to take a ten-point lead that would never get closer than seven over the last seven minutes of the fourth quarter. A major contributor to the Falcons' success during that run was Aiken (Wilkes-Barre, PA), who set her career-high with 24 points on the night, scoring 13 in the second half and posting eight during that run. She also had 13 rebounds for the double-double. Aiken was 10-for-13 from the floor and went 4-for-7 from the free throw line.
 
Helping her out in scoring was Salote Franklin (Philadelphia, PA), who had 20 points and 22 rebounds, along with four assists. Lackawanna, as a team, had 23 assists and shot 39.5% from the floor. Jayla South (Long Pond, PA) had 16 points and five assists, while Desiree White (Carlisle, PA) had eleven points and six boards. Ania Crocker (Freeport, NY) had seven points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.
 
Raritan (13-8, 7-4) came into the game in third place the Region standings, and the Lions had already beaten the Falcons earlier this season. The Lions shot 35% from the floor and hit ten three-pointers, but committed 19 turnovers, which led to 20 Lackawanna points. The Lions were also outscored on the bench (26-7) and allowed 19 second-chance points to the Falcons, who had a 63-40 rebounding advantage on the night. Julia Fontanillo had 20 points and ten rebounds, while Ona Riopedre had 15 points, and Sophia Larsen added 14 points and five rebounds.
 
The Falcons are now in third place in the Region XIX DII standings, with three games remaining in region play. Their next game is on Saturday, February 1^st, when they host the Middlesex College Colts. Tip-off is set for 1:00pm ET inside the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium. Lackawanna beat Middlesex earlier this season, 51-46, in Edison, NJ.