Lady Royals Advance to NCAA DIII Sweet 16

University of Scranton women's basketball team dominates first two tournament rounds

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The University of Scranton women's basketball team, the Landmark Conference champions, have advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 after commanding wins in the first two rounds of the tournament. The Lady Royals have won 11 straight conference titles and are looking to make a deep run in the tournament, led by a balanced scoring attack and strong team chemistry.

Why it matters

The Lady Royals' success in the NCAA tournament highlights the strength of the University of Scranton's women's basketball program, which has been a consistent powerhouse at the Division III level. Their ability to win convincingly in the first two rounds demonstrates their potential to make a deep tournament run and compete for a national championship.

The details

The Lady Royals won their first two tournament games by a combined score of 186-123, showcasing their offensive firepower and depth. Five players scored in double figures in each game, underscoring the team's balanced attack. The players have emphasized their strong team chemistry and desire to prove themselves against the top teams in the country.

  • The Lady Royals won the Landmark Conference championship to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.
  • The team won their first two tournament games against Framingham State and Otterbein.
  • The Lady Royals will face Bates in the Sweet 16 on Friday.

The players

University of Scranton

The women's basketball team at the University of Scranton, a Division III school in Pennsylvania. The team has won 11 straight Landmark Conference championships and is making a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

Katie Gorski

A junior on the University of Scranton women's basketball team who is excited to prove the team's worth against the top players in the country.

Meghan Lamanna

A junior on the University of Scranton women's basketball team who believes the team's best basketball is still to come in the tournament.

Kaci Kranson

A senior on the University of Scranton women's basketball team who is making her fourth NCAA tournament appearance and is focused on making the deepest run possible.

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What they’re saying

“Every single team we're playing has like top players in the country and we really just wanted to go out there and prove ourselves that like what we've done this season.”

— Katie Gorski, Junior

“They were two really good team wins. Everyone was contributing. The energy was good, so we're just trying to build off that and we know we have our potential is still so much more and our best basketball is still yet to come.”

— Meghan Lamanna, Junior

“This is my 4th time in the NCAA tournament. Not many people can say it but us seniors, but we're just excited just to get make the deepest run that we can and just to have fun, it's the biggest part of the game.”

— Kaci Kranson, Senior

What’s next

The Lady Royals will face Bates in the Sweet 16 on Friday. Bates is a team the Lady Royals beat in the second round of last year's tournament.

The takeaway

The University of Scranton women's basketball team has proven itself as a consistent powerhouse at the Division III level, winning 11 straight conference titles and now advancing deep into the NCAA tournament. Their balanced scoring attack and strong team chemistry make them a formidable opponent for any team they face in the Sweet 16 and beyond.