The University of Scranton women’s basketball team is the talk of Division 3. The #2-ranked Lady Royals haven’t lost a game yet, and they made social media headlines by knocking off ACC member Pitt by 6 in mid-November.

Kaci Kranson, Lady Royals Senior(Holy Cross) says, “ We were a little bit surprised on the way up. We actually didn’t think it was going to be like that big of a deal. Since it was kind of a scrimmage for them but when we got on the bus, one of the girls yelled about ESPN posted it or something like that. So it was really cool to get that recognition because, you know, this program is, deep in history, started off with Coach Strong so it was nice to get that recognition. “

Ben O’Brien, Lady Royals Coach added, “ Yeah, it’s an it’s a huge win but it is early in the year. So you know, we’re hoping to build on it. It’s not a championship game or an end of the season, victory. So it’s something that we hope, catapults us into bigger and better things in the future. “

This year’s team is loaded with experience, depth, and defense.

In 9 games, the Lady Royals have given up only 40 points per game while scoring over 78.

Kaeli Romanowski, Lady Royals Senior(Western Wayne) says,” Our speed definitely helps us, we have speed, we have length. So it’s kind of hard for different teams to do the things they want to do when we’re pressuring the ball and then also denying off ball. So I think that gives us an advantage and we just have athletic people that want to win. We’re competitors. Practice every day is intense with nobody wants to lose no matter what drill, what scrimmage we’re in so I think that is really special. “

Jenna Sloan, Lady Royals Senior added, “ The team can be very good, I think it all kind of stems from our defense. I think this is the best defensive team we’ve had in my, three years now, four years here. So I think our defense leading the way is going to help us make it really far. “

Former Holy Cross standout Kaci Kranson has been a starter since her freshman season. Now a senior, the preseason All-American has developed her game into one of the nation’s best.

O’Brien says, “She does a lot of things out there on both ends of the court. I think one of the things she’s really doing well this year is she’s going to attract a lot of attention, and she’s really doing a wonderful job of finding her teammates, and trusting her teammates to make the plays as well, so she doesn’t feel like she has to do it all by herself out there because she doesn’t.

Ide asks, What drives you?

Kranson responds, “ Honestly, I think what drives me is to try to be the best that I can for my teammates. Coming in here, seeing that everyone’s pushing each other, trying to be at their best, that motivates me to try to be my best and push these girls, “

Last season, the Lady Royals lost right here at the John Locke Center in the NCAA tournament in the Elite Eight. As the team goes after a 14th Landmark championship, Scranton knows what it’s going to take to get that and into the Final Four.

Romanowski says, “I think just knowing what it felt like last year, we have a lot of returners that lost and then the success we’ve had so far, we know what our potential is, and we haven’t reached the yet, but we’re so excited to see where we can go from here. “

The Lady Royals will be back on the hard wood Tuesday night when travel to DeSales.