Here is a weekly wrap-up of University of Scranton athletic events. To see the full link to the Royal Review, visit http://matrix.scranton.edu/athletics/gnfeb72011.shtml.

Men’s Basketball (16-4 Overall/9-2 Landmark Conference)
The Royals maintained a one-game lead over Drew University in the quest for the top seed in the upcoming Landmark Conference tournament with a pair of victories at the Long Center.

On Friday, Feb. 4, senior guards Zach Ashworth (Doylestown/Central Bucks West) and Luke Hawk (Audubon/Methacton) combined for 42 points as the Royals erased a three-point halftime deficit to defeat Goucher College, 73-64. Sophomore point-guard Travis Farrell (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) made a career-high eight steals as Scranton pressured the Gophers into turning the ball over 17 times in the second half and 23 overall. The Royals converted those Goucher miscues into 33 points.

The Royals erased another three-point halftime deficit on Saturday by shooting nearly 60 percent from the field in the second half to defeat Catholic University, 79-64.  Ashworth scored 19 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, Farrell finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and sophomore guard Tim Lavelle (Clarks Green/Scranton Preparatory) came off the bench and scored a career-high 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting from the field.  Ashworth, Lavelle and Farrell combined for 20 points during a 24-2 spurt midway through the second half that turned a four-point deficit into an 18-point lead. 

Ashworth’s 45 points this past week moved him into 10th place on the Royals’ all-time scoring list with 1,648.

Women’s Basketball (16-5 Overall/10-1 Landmark Conference)
The Lady Royals took over sole possession of first place in the Landmark Conference with a pair of victories at the Long Center.

On Friday, Feb. 4, veteran head coach Mike Strong earned the 750th victory of his 31-year career as Scranton made a season-high 14 3-point field goals en route to a 91-38 win over Goucher College.  Strong is now one of only two coaches in NCAA Division III women’s basketball history—former St. John Fisher head coach Phil Kahler is the other—to win 750 games. 

First-year guard Allison Sweeney (Wall, N.J./Saint Rose) and senior guard Megan Kopecki (Millington, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) led four Lady Royals in double figures with 16 points apiece and senior guard Jennifer King (Taylor/Riverside) and junior guard Sidney Jaques (Rosemont, N.J./Hunterdon Central) each added 13 as Scranton shot a season-high 52.4 percent from the field.

On Saturday, Kopecki, King and Sweeney combined for 48 points as the Lady Royals broke open a close game midway through the second half to post a 67-53 victory over Catholic University.  Scranton’s defense came to the forefront by pressuring the Cardinals into 24 turnovers and converting them into 27 points.  The Lady Royals also shot nearly 59 percent from beyond the 3-point arc in the second half as Scranton wiped out a one-point halftime deficit.  For the game, Scranton made 11 3-pointers.

Kopecki’s 35 points this past week gives her 1,551 for her career.  She is now nine points shy of becoming one of only five players in Lady Royals’ history to score 1,600.

Men’s Swimming (6-5)
The men’s swim team did not compete during the period.

Women’s Swimming (8-4)
The women’s swim team did not compete during the period.

Wrestling (4-4)
The Royals opened the period with a 40-9 victory over Yeshiva University on Sunday, Jan. 30, in New York City.

Scranton recorded four wins by pins—from sophomores Vinny Signoriello (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) at 133 and Frank Siclari (Emerson, N.J./St. Joseph’s Regional) at 157, junior Matt Terry (East Northport, N.Y./St. Anthony’s) at 174, and senior Luke Genovese (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) – and another by way of a major decision by junior Kevin Williams (Belleville, N.J./St. Peter’s Preparatory) at 141.

On Thursday, Feb. 3, the Royals lost to Wilkes University, 46-3, at the Marts Center in Wilkes-Barre. Terry recorded Scranton’s only win, an 11-10 decision over Nick Lynch at 174.

Terry’s two victories this week improved his season record to 10-9.

Here is the upcoming schedule for The University of Scranton's athletic teams: 

This Week in Royal Athletics

Friday, Feb. 11
Men’s Basketball - at Susquehanna (7:30 p.m.)
Women’s Basketball - at Susquehanna (5:30 p.m.)
Men’s & Women’s Swimming - at Landmark Conference Championships (Kings Point, N.Y.)

Saturday, Feb. 12
Men’s Basketball - at Juniata (4 p.m.)
Women’s Basketball - at Juniata (2 p.m.)
Men’s & Women’s Swimming – at Landmark Conference Championships (Kings Point, N.Y.)
Wrestling- at King’s with Hunter (noon)

Sunday, Feb. 13
Men’s & Women’s Swimming – at Landmark Conference Championships (Kings Point, N.Y.)