2/14/25
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – After nearly two weeks off, Lackawanna College women's basketball is set to celebrate its sophomore class and get back to Region XIX DII action on Saturday, February 15^th, as the Falcons will host Salem CC.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00pm ET inside the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium. The game is the first of a pair, as the Lackawanna men's team will play SUNY Westchester afterwards at 3:00pm ET. The games are open to the public, with tickets sold at the door for adults ($5) and students ($3). Anyone with a valid Lackawanna College ID will gain free admission. There is a pay-per-view video livestream available via the Lackawanna College Athletics Network at lackawannafalcons.com/LIVE.
 
Before the start of the game, at 12:30pm ET, the Falcons will celebrate their sophomore class with the Sophomore Day presentation.
 
The match-up represents a chance for Lackawanna College to maintain its hold on third place in the Region XIX DII standings. Currently, the Falcons sit at 10-4 in region play, a full game behind Harcum (11-3) and a full game ahead of Raritan Valley (9-5). Harcum is hosting Union College (14-0) at 12pm on Saturday, while Raritan is on the road at Middlesex (5-8) at 1pm.
 
Lackawanna defeated Salem CC in the first game between the two earlier this season, winning a 73-70 thriller against the Mighty Oaks back on December 14^th in Carneys Point, NJ. The Falcons were up 16 points with seven minutes to play, but Salem used a 12-0 run in five minutes to get within 64-60. As the clock wound down, the Falcons kept hitting free throws, but Salem kept knocking down threes, hitting threes on back-to-back possessions inside of ten seconds to get within 71-70. Lackawanna hit free throws to go up three, and Salem turned the ball over to put an end to the contest. You can read the full recap HERE.
 
About Lackawanna College
The Falcons (15-6, 10-4) have not played since February 4^th, when they knocked off the Vikings from Mercer County CC, 73-66. In that game, Lackawanna used a 7-0 mini run to pull away from Mercer, relying on the sophomores to come up big with points and defense. Lackawanna shot 35% from the floor, including 44.4% in the fourth quarter, and went 7-for-9 on the free throw line in the final quarter. You can read the full game recap HERE.
 
This season, the Falcons are averaging 72 points per game, while giving up 69.7 points per game against. Lackawanna is shooting 34.7% from the floor this season, while hitting 21.2% from three-point range. The Falcons have struggled from the free throw line this season, shooting 59.3% from the line. Lackawanna's opponents are shooting 36.6% from the floor and have hit 29.5% of their three-point shots. Lackawanna has a +6.3 rebounding margin, averaging 49.9 boards per game. The Falcons are averaging 21.4 turnovers per game, while forcing 20 per game this year. Lackawanna averages 12.2 steals per contest, while its opponents average eleven swipes per game. Lackawanna is averaging 4.7 blocks per game.
 
Sophomore forward Salote Franklin (Philadelphia, PA) leads the team with 17 points per game this season, eighth in the region and third in DII. Salote is shooting 46.2% from the floor and averages a team-high 13 rebounds per game, first in DII. Franklin is a 68% free throw shooter, second on the team, and leads the Falcons both in attempts (103) and makes (70). She has also hit eleven three-pointers this season. Franklin has 45 steals, second on the team, and leads the Falcons with 36 blocks this year. Salote had 30 points in the season-opening victory against CCBC Catonsville back on November 1^st, shooting 13-for-21 from the floor, while pulling down eight rebounds. She set a season-high for rebounds with 23 boards and 28 points in the win against Salem back on December 14^th. Salote was 15-for-16 from the free throw line in the contest, going 8-for-8 in the fourth quarter alone, to help secure the win. Salote has scored double-figures in 19 games this year and has 15 double-doubles on the year, including in nine of her last ten games. She set a season-high with eight assists in the win against Essex on November 19^th, where she also had 14 points and ten boards. Franklin set her season-high in steals in the win against Orange on January 23^rd, securing seven steals, while also putting up 22 points and 20 rebounds. In her last ten games, Franklin is averaging 17.8 points per game and 16.5 rebounds per contest. She scored 21 points on 9-for-17 shooting and had 12 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks in the win against Mercer on February 4^th.
 
Sophomore guard Desiree White (Carlisle, PA) is second on the team with 12.8 points per game through her 16 appearances, missing five games due to injury earlier this year. White has hit 25 three-point shots, first on the team, and is shooting 30% from the floor. White averages 3.4 rebounds a game and has 19 steals. Desi has hit double-figures nine times this year, scoring her season-high against Herkimer on January 11^th, posting 28 points on a season-best ten makes. She hit three three-pointers, made five free throws, and had a pair of assists and a pair of rebounds in the win against Herkimer. Against Catonsville, she had 13 points and four boards. She had 20 points against Mercer on December 10^th, hitting seven shots and knocking down three three-point shots. Her previous season-high was 26 points on 8-for-18 shooting and a season-high four made three-pointers in the loss to Montgomery on November 12^th. Desi has scored in double-figures in six of her last eight games. She set a season-best with four steals, while also scoring nine points and pulling down five boards in the win against Orange on January 23^rd. Desi scored 21 points on 8-for-19 shooting and had five rebounds in the win against Mercer County on February 4^th. Against Salem, she had eight points and a pair of rebounds in the victory in December.
 
Sophomore guard Jayla South (Long Pond, PA) is third on the team with 11.9 points per game this season. South is shooting 32.5% and has made 16 three-point shots, second on the team this season. She averages six rebounds per game, fourth on the team, and has 54 assists, second on the squad, along with 40 steals and 21 blocks this season. South has scored double-figures in 14 games this season, scoring her season and career-high with 42 points against Essex on November 19^th, making 15 shots and hitting six three-pointers in the win. She also had eight rebounds and a season-high with five steals. She also had seven assists in the contest. Jayla set a season-high for rebounds with 13 boards, while scoring ten points in the win against Essex back on January 14^th. Jayla had just four points, but set her season-best with eight assists in the win against Mercer on February 4^th. She had ten points and three rebounds in the win against Salem in December.
 
First-year guard Ania Crocker (Freeport, NY) is averaging ten points per game this season and is shooting 32.5% from the floor. Crocker averages 5.2 rebounds per game and has 57 assists, first on the team. She is also first on the team with 51 steals. Crocker scored her season-high against Jamestown on November 16^th, exploding for 28 points and a season-best 13 rebounds in the win. Crocker went 13-for-23 from the floor in the win. She set a season-high with seven steals against Richard Bland College on November 2^nd, where she also had five assists. Crocker scored 26 points, grabbed five rebounds, and posted four steals in the win against Essex on November 19^th. Crocker has nine games in double-digit points this season Ania scored seven points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out a season-high eight assists in the win against Raritan on January 28^th. She scored just five points in the win against Mercer two weeks ago. Crocker had just two points, along with three boards and three assists, in the win against Salem CC in December.
 
Sophomore forward Saraiah Franklin (Philadelphia, PA) is averaging eight points and 8.2 rebounds per game through her 21 appearances. Franklin is shooting 38% from the floor and has 51 assists on the year, third on the team. She's a 67.3% free throw shooter this season, and she has 29 steals and 15 blocks. Saraiah had one of her best games of the year against Essex in November, scoring 14 points and setting a season-high in assists (5), along with matching her season-high in steals (3) and grabbing 12 rebounds. Against Harcum on November 21^st, she had a season-best 23 points, scoring 13 in the fourth alone, while going 8-for-9 from the free throw line and pulling down eleven rebounds. Saraiah set her season-high in rebounds with 16 boards against Herkimer, where she also put up 13 points and had four assists in the win. Saraiah has three double-doubles on the season and has hit double-figures in scoring in nine games this season. She had scored double-figures in five of six games entering the contest with Raritan, while also pulling down 9.3 rebounds per game in that span. Saraiah had four points and matched her season-best with 16 boards, to go with four assists, in the win against Mercer County CC two weeks ago. She had four points and six rebounds, along with four assists, in the victory against Salem back in December.
 
Sophomore forward E'ternity Aiken (Wilkes-Barre, PA) is averaging 7.9 points per game through her 15 contests this year. Aiken missed six games due to injury earlier this season. She is shooting 48.8% from the floor and averages 7.1 rebounds per game, third on the team. She also has 18 steals. Aiken had 15 points and eleven boards in the win against Richard Bland College, her first of three double-doubles of the season. She also had four steals and a pair of assists. Her second double-double came against Harcum on January 25^th, putting up 13 points and grabbing ten rebounds in the loss. Aiken had a career-best game against Raritan on January 28^th, scoring a season-high 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting and pulling down a season-high 13 rebounds in the win against the Lions. She had 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in the win against Mercer. She had just five points and five rebounds in the win against Salem in December. In her last three games, E'ternity is averaging 18.3 points per game, while pulling down 10.3 rebounds per contest and shooting a sizzling 68.7% from the floor.
 
Head coach Monica Spence is in her third season at the helm of the Falcons. Spence spent a year as an assistant before taking over the program in 2022. Before her time at Lackawanna, Spence spent time coaching at youth levels and in semi-professional men's basketball. Spence is a Wilkes-Barre native, who played her high school basketball locally at Wilkes-Barre GAR. Spence is 36-31 in her time as the head coach for the Falcons.
 
About Salem CC
The Mighty Oaks (11-11, 4-11) come into the contest on the outside, looking in, as far as playoffs are concerned. The only hope for Salem is to win one of its final two games to be .500 or above in its overall record. Teams that finish above .500 in their overall record still qualify for the Region XIX DII playoffs. Salem has dropped three of its last four games entering the weekend, including a heartbreaker in overtime on Tuesday at Mercer, falling 85-75. Salem held a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter on the road, and the fourth was tight, with neither team holding a lead larger than three for the majority of the quarter. With 52 seconds remaining in the contest, Salem was on the line, up 65-64. The Mighty Oaks made both free throw to push their advantage to three, but Mercer answered with a tying three-ball on the right corner with 39 seconds to go. Out of a timeout, Salem's possession ended in a turnover, gifting the Vikings a chance to win. Mercer missed a runner with three seconds to go, and the game went to overtime. Mercer scored the first ten points in the extra frame to grab a double-digit advantage, which was just enough of a cushion for the Vikings to win. Salem shot 49% from the floor, but committed 39 turnovers. The Oaks were also outshot from the free throw line, where Mercer was 22-for-28 and Salem went 11-for-13.
 
The Mighty Oaks are averaging 64.3 points per game, while giving up 67.9 points against this season. Salem shoots 38% from the floor and hits around 26% from downtown, and the Oaks shoot about 57.5% from the free throw line. Salem's opponents are averaging 37.1% from the floor and 26.5% from three-point range this season. Salem is -1.2 on rebounding margin this season, averaging 37.4 boards per game. The Oaks average 18.6 turnovers per game, while forcing 18.5 per contest this year. They average ten steals per game, and their opponents average 12 steals per game.
 
First-year guard Nyaijah Jackson is one of three players in double-figures this season, averaging 12.4 points per game, while shooting 47.7% from the floor and 59% from the free throw line. She averages 5.4 rebounds per game, third on the team, and she is third in assists per contest (2.5) and first in steals (2.4). Jackson has scored double-figures in 14 games this season, putting up a season-high 21 points in two games this year. She scored 21 points on 9-for-18 shooting in a win against AACC Club on January 16^th, then had 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting in a win at Delaware Tech on January 21^st. Jackson has two double-doubles this season, including a 13-point, season-high 12-rebound performance against Camden County College back on January 7^th. She also set a season-high with five assists in that contest, which she matched with five helpers against Del Tech on January 21^st. Jackson set her season-high with six steals against AACC Club in January. She had 18 points, four rebounds, and five steals in the loss to Lackawanna in December. She scored 12 points and had ten rebounds, along with four assists and three steals, in the loss at Mercer earlier this week.
 
Sophomore guard Maggie St. Clair is second on the team at 11.2 points per game this season, shooting 37.4% from the floor and 76% from the free throw line. She's also averaging around 23% from downtown. St. Clair averages 3.1 rebounds per game and is fourth on the team at 2.3 assists per game. She also averages just over one steal per game this year. St. Clair has 13 games in double-figures this year, setting a season-best against Mercer with 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, while also posting three rebounds and two steals in the loss on Tuesday. St. Clair set her season-high with seven rebounds in the win against Camden in early January, where she also matched her season-high of four assists. She's done that three times this year. St. Clair had eleven points on a tough 4-for-17 shooting performance against Lackawanna in December.
 
Sophomore guard Kathryn Laurence is third on the team at 10.3 points per game this year, shooting 37.2% from the floor and hitting 32.9% from the three-point line. Laurence averages 2.4 assists per game and 2.9 rebounds per contest this year. She has 13 games in double-figures this season, setting her season-high with 26 points on 10-for-15 shooting, hitting six three-pointers in the win against Essex County on January 18^th. She set her season-highs in rebounds (6) and steals (4), along with 18 points, against RCSJ Cumberland. She matched her rebounding number with six boards and a season-best six assists at Delaware Tech in January. She scored 12 points and had four rebounds in the loss to Lackawanna in December. She scored 13 points, had five assists, and grabbed a pair of rebounds in the loss to Mercer earlier this week.
 
First-year forward Akira Chambers is averaging eight points per game this season, shooting 50.7% from the floor and 55.6% from the free throw line this year. Chambers is tied for fourth on the team at 4.5 rebounds per game this season. Chambers has scored in double-figures eight times this season, with her season-high coming against Lehigh Carbon, dropping 21 on the Cougars in the win on November 16^th for Salem. She made nine shots on 14 attempts in that victory. She has two double-doubles this season, including a 14-point, season-best 14-rebound performance against Camden on January 7^th. Chambers had just two points in the loss to Lackawanna in December. She scored eleven points in the loss to Mercer County on Tuesday night.
 
The head coach is Brian Marsh, now in his second season at Salem leading the women's basketball program. Marsh took over the squad in August 2023 and was tasked with reviving the Mighty Oaks to get them ready for Division II action in Region XIX. He guided the Oaks to a 9-13 record last year, making great strides towards the end of the season. Marsh had originally been hired as a lead assistant and recruiter with the program 18 months before his hiring as head coach. Before his time at Salem, Marsh was an advance scout for the Arlington HS girls basketball team in Washington state for seven seasons. Marsh has New Jersey ties, spending 15 seasons as the coach for the Haddon Township travel basketball organization in Camden County. Marsh is a Temple University graduate.
 
The Matchup
Saturday's contest is the second match-up of the year between Salem and Lackawanna, with the Falcons winning the earlier contest in Carneys Point, NJ on December 14^th. The Falcons won both games against Salem last year, including an 86-52 win at home in Scranton last February.
 
Coming into Saturday afternoon, five of the top six teams in Region XIX DII are in region action. The standings look like this:
 
1 – Union (24-1, 15-0)
2 – Harcum (19-5, 11-3)
3 – Lackawanna (15-6, 10-4)
4 – Raritan Valley CC (15-10, 9-5)
5 – Mercer County CC (16-6, 9-6)
6 – Middlesex College (12-12, 5-8)
7 – Salem CC (11-11, 4-11)
8 – Essex County (5-14, 2-13)
9 – Delaware Tech (0-21, 0-15)
 
Top-seeded Union will host Harcum. #3 Lackawanna is hosting #7 Salem CC. #4 Raritan Valley CC is on the road at #6 Middlesex. #5 Mercer County CC is idle. A win for Lackawanna against Salem CC would help the Falcons solidify their grip on the third spot, while also keeping the Falcons just behind second-seed Harcum. Meanwhile, a loss for Salem CC wouldn't eliminate them from postseason play, but would mean the Oaks would have to win their next game against Montgomery County CC to have any shot.
 
In the way that the playoffs work for Region XIX DII, the top four teams will advance to the Region XIX DII WBB Final Four, hosted by Lackawanna College on Thursday, February 27^th. However, if a team outside the top four has either a .500 or better region or overall record, they also qualify for the postseason, forcing a play-in game to determine the seeds for the semi-final round. If the postseason were to start today, three teams would force three play-in games. #2 Harcum would have to play #7 Salem CC, #3 Lackawanna would have to play #6 Middlesex, and #4 Raritan would have to play #5 Mercer County CC. Both Middlesex and Salem CC could still miss the playoffs. Middlesex is 12-12 overall, with three games remaining. Salem is 11-11, with two games remaining. Middlesex needs to win two games, while Salem needs to win one.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00pm ET on Saturday, February 15^th, inside the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium. The game is the first of a pair, as the Lackawanna men's basketball team is set to play afterwards at 3:00pm ET against SUNY Westchester CC. The games are open to the public, with tickets sold at the door for adults ($5) and students ($3). Anyone with a valid Lackawanna College ID will gain free admission. There is a pay-per-view video livestream available via the Lackawanna College Athletics Network at lackawannafalcons.com/LIVE.
 
As a reminder, Saturday's games will serve as the Lackawanna College Sophomore Day celebration. At 12:30pm ET, we will recognize the eight sophomore women's basketball players, ahead of their game against Salem CC. Immediately after the conclusion of the women's game, we will recognize the sophomore men's basketball players.
 
Lackawanna women's basketball does still have one more home regular season game, as the Falcons are set to host Middlesex College on Tuesday, February 18^th, in a make-up game from a game that was postponed back on February 1^st. Tip-off is set for 5:00pm ET inside the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium.