Box Score

READING, Pa. - In their first appearance in the Bollman Center in over a month, the Lady Lions faced off against nationally ranked University of Scranton Tuesday evening. Looking for the upset the Lady Lions (4-7) gave the Royals (8-2) a close game but were unable to make that final push in the end falling by the final score of 56-48.

Guiding Albright to the near upset was senior Mallory Olsheski with the evenings only double-double. Her 10 points and 12 rebounds performance marked the third time this season that Olsheski has totaled double-figures in both categories. Also finishing in double-figures for the red and white was sophomore Becca Pollack with 11 points in 35 minutes of playing time.

Pollack had her hands full Tuesday evening against a very physical Scranton team. The Pittsburgh native battled it out with the Royal's Molly Klusek every time she stepped on the court. Both players recorded five rebounds, but it was Pollack who shined defensively tallying a season high four blocks.

Leading the red and white in scoring was junior guard Jessica McGinness with 15 points. From the field McGinness was 7-for-11, which included one 3-point basket.

Megan Kopecki proved to be the deciding factor for the Royals with a 19 point performance. Now just three points away from the 1,000 point mark, Kopecki went 7-for-17 from the field and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. She also totaled a team high nine rebounds, while dishing out five assists.

Next in line for the Royals was Klusek with nine points followed by the duo of Ryan Mooney and Sidney Jaques who each had seven points. Even with the solid offensive production by the Royals, it was their defense that made all difference Tuesday night. Combined Scranton forced Albright to turn the ball over 24 times. Scranton was only charged with 15 turnovers, but led the game in steals with 16.

Through the first 20 minutes of Tuesday's contest Albright and Scranton found themselves in a see-saw battle. Each team took the lead twice, while also sharing control of the scoreboard five times.

The two times in which Albright controlled the lead came at crucial points, the first of which was in the opening minutes. Leading the Royals by six with 14:48 to play, Albright seemed to find a rhythm on both sides of the center line.

However, Scranton would battle back at the midway point and maintained control until the seven minute mark. Led by Olsheski and sophomore Jenny Knoebel, the Lady Lions quickly regained control on back-to-back jumpers.

Olsheski then made it a four point game with 2:29 left. MariLynn McMonagle added to her team's lead with a pair of made free-throws to make it 29-22 with 1:59 left to play.

Unfortunately, with only a minute to play, Albright was unable to possess the ball, which allowed the Royals to make a last second run. Scranton managed to take the seven point deficit and cut it down to one before entering the locker room.

Following the break, Albright maintained a slim lead through the first two minutes of the final half. From there Scranton took over and slowly gained some distance between them and Albright. By the 10 minute mark, the Royals held a six point lead following a Klusek free-throw.

They then jumped out to a 12 point lead with four minutes left to play after another Mooney jumper. Down but not out Albright knew they could still make a run at the lead.

Right after the Royal's jumper to make it 48-36, Albright came roaring back with 10-2 run to make it 46-50 with a minute left to play. Looking to cause that game changing turnover, Albright tried to trap the Royals on their next possession.

Scranton did manage to work their way up the court and got the ball to Kopecki hoping she would seal the victory. Kopecki would barely get the ball out of her hands before Pollack came in and practically threw her shot into the bleachers.

Still in the hunt for the comeback, Albright looked for the deep shot on its final two possessions, both of which fell short. Olsheski did record the Lady Lions final basket before the Royals clinched the victory from the free throw line.

Women's Basketball returns to action this Saturday when they host Lycoming College at 2 p.m. in the Bollman Center in a Commonwealth Conference match-up.