2/19/25
 
NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Lackawanna women's basketball was within two possessions at halftime, but a bad third quarter was enough to undo the Falcons' hopes of an upset, as Monroe University downed Lackawanna, 69-51, on Wednesday evening in non-region action inside the Monroe Athletic Complex.
 
The Falcons (17-7) were down 31-25 at halftime, certainly within striking distance, but the Division I Mustangs (20-4) outscored the Falcons 17-5 in the third, holding Lackawanna to just 2-for-18 shooting from the floor. Monroe opened a 21-point advantage with eight minutes to play at 56-35. The Falcons had one last run, finally snapping into form with a quick 10-0 run in less than two minutes of game time. It started when Jayla South (Long Pond, PA) nailed a pair of free throws, and the run was highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Salote Franklin (Philadelphia, PA).
 
With under six to go, Monroe scored five straight points to re-establish a 16-point lead. Ania Crocker (Freeport, NY) sank a three-pointer with five minutes to go to cut it to 61-48, but the Falcons had four straight turnovers in consecutive possessions, and Monroe began to slowly pull further ahead. Over the final five minutes, Lackawanna scored just three points, all on free throws.
 
Lackawanna shot 30.4% from the floor, and the Falcons were 6-for-23 from the three-point line. Lackawanna had 20 turnovers and was outrebounded 43-31. Three players scored in double-figures for Lackawanna, led by Franklin's 16 points and nine rebounds. E'ternity Aiken (Wilkes-Barre, PA) added ten points and four rebounds, along with four blocks, while South posted 13 points and six boards.
 
Monroe shot 38% from the floor for the contest, scored 21 points off turnovers, and put four players in double-figures on the night. Kaylyn Lelie finished with 22 points and eight boards, hitting four three-pointers. Sydney Huskey scored 14 points and had five assists, while Qaizden Stephano scored 13 points and eight rebounds.
 
Lackawanna College women's basketball now turns its attention to the Region XIX Division II Championships, happening next Thursday, February 27^th, at the historic Lackawanna College Student Union gymnasium. The three-seed Falcons are scheduled to take on two-seed Harcum College at a time to be determined.