Scranton a Royal pain for D1 Pitt

More news about: Scranton
Nov 16, 2025
 
Katie Gorski scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 2 Scranton surprised D-1 Pittsburgh in Sunday's exhibition game.
University of Scranton file photo by Timmy Drewes
 

No. 2 Scranton scored a big win for Division III basketball when the Royals shocked Division I University of Pittsburgh, 69-63, on Sunday afternoon.

Scranton opened the game shooting 6 for 13 from the field, and Sophia Talutto hit two 3-pointers in the first period, the latter giving the Royals a 15-12 lead. Scranton held that lead throughout the second quarter and pushed its advantage to 14 points on Kaci Kranson’s jumper with 2:10 to play in the first half. Jenna Sloan’s free throw sent Scranton into the locker room with a 37-27 advantage.

Pittsburgh opened the second half with a 16-2 run and led 50-44 entering the fourth period. Scranton held the Panthers to one field goal over five minutes and regained the lead at 55-53 on Meghan Lamanna’s jumper. Back-to-back threes by Talutto and Lamanna took the Royals’ lead to six points and then, after Pitt clawed back within two with 28 seconds left, Elizabeth Bennett scored to make the score 67-63. Pitt missed a shot on its ensuing possession, and Kaeli Romanowski added two free throws to complete Scranton’s victory.

Scranton had four players score double figures led by Bennett (15 points) and Talutto (14 points). Gorski posted a double-double for the Royals (11 points, 10 rebounds), who outscored the Panthers 30-12 from three.

The game is an exhibition for Scranton and does not count toward the Royals’ record, but the result does count for Pitt, which dropped to 2-2.

Despite the divisional divide, the two programs have some connections.

Former Scranton All-American Abby Anderson is currently an Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development for Pitt. Nick DiPillo, who is currently the head coach at Division I Le Moyne, was Scranton’s head coach for three seasons before departing for an assistant job at Pitt in 2022-23.

Coincidentally, Pitt’s next game is Tuesday night against Le Moyne, while Scranton returns to Division III action with its Landmark Conference opener at Drew on Wednesday night.