2/15/25
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – Five sophomores scored in double-figures as Lackawanna celebrated its Sophomore Day in a 72-56 victory at home against Salem CC on Saturday afternoon inside the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium.
 
Eight sophomores were honored before the game, and they all got significant minutes to help the Falcons (16-6, 11-4) win their third straight contest and solidify their grip on the third-place spot in the Region XIX DII standings. Lackawanna led wire-to-wire over the visitors from Salem CC, jumping out to a first quarter lead and hounding the Mighty Oaks defensively, forcing 23 turnovers, including 13 steals, and scoring 19 points on turnovers. The Falcons shot 35% from the floor as a team.
 
Salem (11-12, 4-12) trailed 37-22 at the break, but managed to get the game within ten points at 44-34 with 3:34 to play in the third. It was one of six instances in the second half where the Oaks got things to a ten-point deficit, but Lackawanna had an answer for every instance.
 
With 5:18 to go, Salem trailed 58-48, but the Falcons got two free throws from Saraiah Franklin (Philadelphia, PA) to go back up 12, then got a long pass from Franklin into a lay-up for Ania Crocker (Freeport, NY) that extended the Lackawanna advantage back to 14 points at 62-48. Salem would never get closer than 12 the rest of the way. Part of the reason was Lackawanna making its last eight free throws in the final quarter, going 10-for-12 in the final frame overall, and shooting 53.8% from the floor in the final quarter.
 
Salote Franklin (Philadelphia, PA) led the way with 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Desiree White (Carlisle, PA) had 15 points and four rebounds, along with three steals. Saraiah finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, while E'ternity Aiken (Wilkes-Barre, PA) came off the bench to score eleven and grab six boards. Jayla South (Long Pond, PA) had ten points and five boards.
 
Salem was led by Maggie St. Clair's 15 points, while Nyaijah Jackson scored 14 points, all in the second half. Salem shot just 27.5% from the floor, and the Oaks were 2-for-18 from downtown on the day.
 
The Falcons have one more Region XIX DII game on the schedule, and will host Middlesex College on Tuesday, February 18^th, at 5:00pm ET inside the historic Lackawanna College Student Union. Prior to the start of the game, the Lackawanna College men's basketball program will honor its sophomore class with a Sophomore Day celebration.