Box Score

SCRANTON, Pa. - The Immaculata University women's basketball team used a 32-10 run over the final 12 minutes to turn a 14-point deficit into a 71-63 victory over Marywood University in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action on Saturday afternoon. The win improved the Mighty Macs (12-7) to 9-1 in the CSAC and kept them alone in second place in the conference.

Senior Adriana Sciascia tallied a game-high 22 points, while senior Brittany Merkle recorded 20 points and seven rebounds. It is the second straight game Merkle has recorded 20 or more points. She posted 22 in the win over Keystone on Wednesday. Fellow senior Sara Smith also scored in double figures with 13, as Sciascia, who scored 13 of her 22 points in the second half, tied her career-high with seven steals.

Trailing 53-39 with 12:40 left in the second half, Immaculata embarked on the run of the year kickstarted by a three-pointer by Sciascia. After two free throws by Merkle to cut the deficit to single digits (53-44), the Pacers (11-6, 6-3) added a foul shot to once again make their lead double figures (54-44) at 11:30 of the final stanza. But the Mighty Macs scored the next 16 points starting with a three pointer by Sciascia and a jumper by senior Mackie Fitzgerald (8 points) to make it a five point game at 54-49.

Sciascia then hit one of two free throws before huge back-to-back three point field goals by senior Alison Zimny (6 points) that gave the Mighty Macs their first lead of the second half at 56-54 with 6:23 to go in the game. It was also their first lead since it was 2-0 IU early in the first half and itwas a lead they never relinquished as they held Marywood to only 34% shooting from the floor in the second half, including 1-8 from beyond the arc.

Merkle would add a lay-up and Sciascia hit a jumper to cap the run as IU would take the 60-54 lead and hold on for the 71-63 victory. Sciascia knocked down four free throws and Smith hit three to seal the victory down the stretch.

Marywood held a 12-4 lead with 14:00 left in the first half, before Immaculata used a 11-4 run to pull within one point (16-15) at 9:50. The Pacers outscored the Mighty Macs over the final nine minutes of the first half to take a 38-33 advantage into intermission.

Nora Joyce led Marywood with 16 points, while Danielle Terranella amassed 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Mighty Macs return to action on Monday, February 2, when they travel to face Centenary College in CSAC action. Tip-off is set for 6pm.

NOTES: Smith has moved in 16th on all-time scoring list with 1,072 career points ... she has passed Bridget Welz (2008-12) ... Fitzgerald now has 200 rebounds in her career and needs just three assists to reach the 200 mark ... Zimny eclipsed the 500-point mark in her career with her six points this afternoon.