Lady Royals move on to Landmark final because of COVID-19 situation at Moravian
Mar. 4—This isn't exactly how the University of Scranton women's basketball team figured to reach the Landmark Conference final.
Tonight's scheduled semifinal game between the Lady Royals and Moravian College at the John Long Center is canceled because of a COVID-19 situation within Moravian's program.
As a result, Scranton, the top seed, advances to Saturday's final, where it will host the winner of today's other semifinal between Catholic University and Drew University at a time to be determined.
It is the third game this season that the Lady Royals have had a game postponed or canceled because of COVID.
"I feel for our kids. This is the third time they've been affected through no fault of their own," Scranton head coach Nick DiPillo said. "Every time, they've handled it with grace and class and a positive work ethic.
"Our goal at the beginning of every season — and it will be for as long as I am head coach — is to play for a championship. It's not the way we drew it up, but we are going to play for a championship Saturday."
With the postponement, Scranton will go seven days between games.
DiPillo isn't concerned about the extended time off, but rather the valuable experience his younger players are missing.
"With a young team, every game rep you get counts so much," DiPillo said. "We've lost our last two opportunities to play. That's 80 minutes where your freshmen and sophomores can learn and grow.
"But, this year has been anything but normal."
Catholic (6-2) and the Lady Royals (6-1) split their two regular-season meetings, each winning on the other's home floor. Scranton won Feb. 19 at Franny Murray Court in Washington, D.C., 63-46. Two days later at the Long Center, the Lady Cardinals overcame a 10-point deficit midway through the third quarter to win, 60-55.
On Feb. 14, Scranton won at Drew, 75-60. The second scheduled game was canceled.
At this point, DiPillo doesn't care which opponent his team faces in the final.
"Both teams present significant challenges," DiPillo said. "Their styles couldn't be any more different. Drew plays a 1-3-1 zone while Catholic is aggressive, in-your-face, man-to-man.
"We just want to play. Whichever team shows up Saturday in the ugly uniforms, that's who we'll play."
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