MADISON, N.J. (Jan. 6, 2015) – The Drew University women's basketball team was defeated by No. 8 The University of Scranton by a score of 79-56 in a Landmark Conference game in Baldwin Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
 
Sophomore forward Ryan Jackson was the only Ranger to finish with double-digit points to lead the scoring with 10 on 4-of-8 shooting and contributing five boards. Senior guard Breana Wilson dropped eight points, dished out three assists and nabbed three steals in the loss. Freshman guard Michaela Keegan contributed nine points in 30 minutes of action.
 
Despite the differential in final score, the Rangers fought the national powerhouse tough for the first quarter of the game. The Royals' strategy consisted of taking advantage of the size discrepancy that existed between the two teams. Scranton featured much larger players (a 6-foot-1 center and 6-foot power forward). The duo shared the court and attempted otherwise high percentage baskets. The Rangers were outsized but not outmatched as the 5-foot-10 Jackson held her own in the post, defending the bigs aggressively.
 
Drew's tenacious defense encouraged the Scranton management to consider alternate plans of attack. The six-footers continued to set up in the paint but began dishing outside to the guards, who hoisted 3-point baskets. Despite limited outside-shooting success, Drew expanded in an effort to limit the shots, that gave Scranton's forwards to execute their job in the paint, and by the 10-minute mark, the Royals had opened up a 15-10 lead.
 
The Royals' 6-foot-1 center and the Landmark Conference's leading scorere, Meredith Mesaris, decided she had enough and single-handedly flipped the momentum 180 degrees. She began to drop in high-percentage buckets at will. She entered the second half with 22 points, one fewer than the entire Drew team. She was shooting 10-of-15 from the field. From there, the game was all Royals.
 
The Royal center locked in 30 points, the majority of which came in the paint, and Scranton's lead extended to 30 with seven minutes to play.
 
The Rangers will look to rebound and take on Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa. on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:00 p.m. Drew will return to Baldwin Gymnasium as they join the men's team in a conference battle with The Catholic University of America on Saturday, Jan 10. The women/men doubleheader kicks off at 2:00 p.m.