Junior Kate McDonald (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area) earned her ninth double-double of the season. She finished with game-highs of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Jordan Speck (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area) also picked up double-figures. She finished with 10 points and a game high five assists.
The Eagles led by nine (33-24) heading into the break. Scranton scratched away at the lead and eventually pulled ahead (41-40) halfway through the second half. Juniata would get as close as one (52-51) with 5:11 to play but the Royals stretched their lead back out to eight. With 1:28 left, senior Natalie Glinsky (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) hit a three to bring the Eagles within three (60-57).
A steal by freshman Maria Photiades (Abbottstown, Pa./Delone Catholic) gave Juniata the ball with less than a minute to play. Speck was fouled with 50 seconds on the clock and sent to the line. She hit the first but missed the second and rounded out the Eagles scoring for the night.
Scranton (13-6, 5-3 Landmark) made 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the final seconds to earn the win.
Juniata returns home this Wednesday, Jan. 30 in a rematch against No. 17 Catholic University. Tipoff against he Cardinal is set for 7 p.m. The Eagles are 9-4 all-time against Catholic. They fell 70-64 on the road at Catholic earlier this year.
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