Rochester couldn't find its shooting touch early in the game and the University of Scranton took advantage, posting a 61-45 victory over Rochester in the championhip game of the Chuck Resler Invitational at the Palestra.
Tournament MVP Erin Boggan posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Royals (2-0). Meredith Mesaris added 15 points and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Rochester (1-1) did not have a double-figure scorer.
Paige Aleski scored nine points.
Danielle McNabb and
Breanna Madrazo scored eight points apiece. McNabb grabbed 10 rebounds.
Scranton held UR to 19% shooting in the first half (5-26) and 26% overall. The Lady Royals hit three three-point goals in the first five minutes and jumped to an 11-4 lead. Rochester got as close as two, 13-11, with 5:20 left when Aleski made a three-pointer.
Mesaris scored six points in the first 2:30 of the second half as Scranton stretched its lead to 10, 28-18. Boggan's layup kept the lead at 10 (36-26) before Rochester rallied.
Breanna Madrazo sank two free throws, then drove for a layup. After Lia DiSciascio hit one of two from the line. McNabb sank a jumper to pull Rochester within 37-32 midway through the second half.
Five points from Mesaris in 36 seconds (a trey and a layup) put the Royals on top by 10 again. Rochester narrowed it to seven on Madrazo's three-pointer with 7:43 left, but Katherine Torto hit a trey and Rochester got it below 10 only twice in the last seven minutes.
Aleski and
Loren Wagner (six points, eight rebounds) were named to the All-Tournament Team for Rochester.
