The University of Scranton women's basketball team found its offensive groove on Sunday afternoon as three players scored in double figures and 10 found their way into the scoring column in an 81-59 victory over Merchant Marine Academy in Landmark Conference action in the John Long Center.

Sophomore forward Meredith Mesaris (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) led the way with 22 points, junior guard Alison Sweeney (Wall, N.J./St. Rose) added 14 and senior forward Erin Boggan (Danbury, Conn./Danbury) finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists. The victory keeps Scranton (7-2) undefeated in Landmark Conference play at 2-0.

The Lady Royals trailed, 19-16, halfway through the first half, but used an 18-4 run to take a double-digit lead at 34-23 with 1:54 to play in the half. Mesaris scored 10 points during the run as she finished the first half with 16 points, including 7-for-7 at the free throw line.

After holding a 39-28 lead at the break, Scranton went on an 18-2 run over the first 6:38 of the second half to put the game away at 57-30. Mesaris had six points and sophomore guard Lia DiSciascio (Broomall, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) added five during the run. The Mariners didn't get closer than 20 the rest of the way.

Scranton shot 37.1 percent (26-for-70) from the field, including 9-for-28 (32.1 percent) from 3-point range. Sweeney hit four of eight from beyond the arc and now has 98 career 3-pointers, seventh-most in school history.

The Lady Royals, who made 20 of 27 from the free throw line, also received eight points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals from freshman guard Noelle Alicea (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East), and nine points, four assists and two steals from senior guard Christina Hiltunen (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney). Sophomore guard Lindsay Fluehr (Bensalem, Pa./Nazareth Academy) added a team-high six assists as Scranton notched assists on 23 of 26 made baskets.

Merchant Marine Academy (4-3, 1-2 Landmark) was led by sophomore Demi VanderWal (Springfield, Ill./Springfield), who scored 15 points and had seven rebounds. The Mariners shot 31.5 percent (17-for-54) from the field and committed 20 turnovers to just 12 for Scranton.

The Lady Royals are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 15, when they host Kean at 5 p.m. in the Long Center.

--LADY ROYALS--