Marywood basketball teams struggle during winter season.

Men’s Basketball

Following a clutch overtime victory against King’s College, the Pacers hosted the Haverford College Fords. Despite the Fords entering the afternoon 3-5, they kept pace with Marywood, constricting the usually sure-handed Pacers three-point shooting to just 19%. The Pacer offense found its rhythm in the second half, led by senior guard Brendan Franko, who finished the day with 18 points and seven rebounds, as Marywood would pull away and close out their fifth home victory 84-72.

The following week, the Pacers took part in the York College of PA Showcase Tournament, starting off against the #22 ranked Stockton University Ospreys. Stockton wasted no time showing Marywood why they were ranked, converting on over 50% of their shots, including 12 of their three-point attempts. The Ospreys handled Marywood, notching a 92-63 victory. Despite being outmatched, Marywood history was made, as Franko scored 11 points, exceeding the 1,000 point threshold, becoming just the eighth member in program history to achieve the historic feat.

The next afternoon, Marywood was back at it, facing Salisbury University. The Seagulls strangled the Pacers offense, forcing Marywood to a conversion rate under 31%, with just one three-point try falling. Though the Pacers would get into a groove, Salisbury’s lead was too much for Marywood to overcome, being swept out of York 79-64.

After the players had a chance to go home and celebrate the holiday, they returned to Scranton for their final non-conference bout, hosting the Knights of Mount Saint Mary College. Similarly to their game versus Haverford, the first half was not as lopsided as the Pacers would’ve liked, holding just a one-point advantage into halftime. The Pacers offensive engine was firing on all cylinders on the other side of the break, totaling 56 points in the second half and ending the day with four players finishing with 10 or more points, as Marywood returned to the win column 89-64.

Women’s Basketball

To begin an eight-day span in which the Pacers would play four times, Marywood hosted Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Scoring was a surplus for the Pacers, totaling 48 first-half points, shooting north of 50% from the field, as Marywood took a hefty lead into halftime. The Pacers efficiency scuffled in the third period, allowing Wilkes-Barre the opportunity to keep the door cracked open. Marywood quickly slammed that door in the fourth, staying dominant at home, 78-52.

Forty eight hours later, Marywood hosted another Penn State satellite school, this time welcoming Altoona. The Pacers expected an encore, but didn’t get it. Scoring was a struggle, as the Nittany Lions played stellar defense across the four quarters, forcing 18 turnovers and a subpar shooting percentage from the Pacers. Marywood would pick up just their second home defeat, 67-47.

Marywood looked to right the ship as the Ravens of Rosemont College flew north to Scranton. It was the Rachel McDonald Show, as the senior guard was automatic from the floor, scoring a career best 25 points on 9-13 shooting, including four deep balls. Her scoring performance was nearly enough to takedown Rosemont by herself, as Marywood’s defense incapacitated the Ravens offense. The Pacers would trounce the visitors, 60-37.

Ending the eight-day stretch, Marywood made the short trip to King’s College. The Monarchs led for all but a minute and change in the first quarter, before Marywood would erase the deficit early in the second quarter, clenching onto the advantage as halftime rolled around. Neither team displayed stellar scoring in the second half, as Marywood would hold on to finish 3-1 in the final four games before the holiday, 51-38.

Men’s Swimming and Diving

After a month-long recess, the Pacers hosted Immaculata University and Marymount University. Both the Mighty Macs and Saints had Marywood’s number, as both knocked off the Pacers, with Immaculata clinching a tight 83-74 victory and Marymount walloping Marywood 217-26. The Pacers failed to have a first place finish in any race, with the best individual finish being Zach Grosvenor’s third place result in the 200 yard butterfly.

Women’s Swimming and Diving

Facing the same opponents, the women’s team found more success than the men’s squad, clinching a 138-83 victory against Immaculata, while still falling to Marymount 168-71. Though Marywood didn’t have any swimmers finish first, the Pacers had four second place and five third place results, including one of each from sophomore Molly Englehardt.

All stats are from MarywoodPacers.com as of Jan. 12.

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