Union, N.J. (12/15/13) – Freshman Sarash Payonk recorded a double-double as she led the University of Scranton women's basketball team to an 82-74 non-conference win over Kean University on Sunday afternoon.
Payonk finished with 14 points and 15 boards as one of a combined nine players who finished with double-digit points on the afternoon. Rookie Jaquetta Owens was tied for team-high points for Kean with 17.
After what started off to be a slow offensive start for both teams, Scranton leading 16-12 at the midway point of the first half, the teams then found a rhythm using a series of runs to close out the period. The Cougars pulled within one on two occasions over the next three minutes before the Lady Royals (5-2) strung together back-to-back treys to take a 33-25 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Kean (4-5) answered right back and scored eight straight as junior Stephanie Carlone knotted the game at 33-all with a jumper just outside the key. Scranton continued with their sixth and seventh three-pointer of the first half to take a five point lead into intermission (40-35).
Juniors Lia DiSciascio and AnnaRose Pierre (pictured left) each led their respective teams with 13 first-half points.
The second half played similar to the end of the first as neither team was able to take a comfortable lead. The Cougars regained the lead with 17:29 on the clock on a bucket from freshman Essence Casey. Kean then pushed that lead out to six as Owens completed the layup and one (48-42) with just over 15 minutes in the contest. The teams would then see-saw over the next ten minutes with the Cougars tying it up one last time with four minutes to go on a layup from sophomore Jazmine Davis (67-67). The Lady Royals then sealed the win down the stretch with two key baskets from Payonk along with made free throws as the Cougars were forced to foul to try and stop the clock.
Pierre finished with a double-double 17 point and 14 rebounds while Davis and Carlone each added 14 in the loss. DiSciascio led all players with 18 points while junior Meredith Mesaris added 15 points and six rebounds in limited action.
Kean enjoys a short break for finals and the holiday and will return to action on Monday, December 30th when they host Centenary College.
