SCRANTON, Pa. - Katie Gorski scored 23 points and Kaci Kranson added 17 as Scranton seized control in the first quarter and never looked back, defeating Bates 76-59 in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at John Long Center. Scranton extends its unbeaten streak to 31 games (31-0) and will face Concordia Moorhead in the Elite 8 round.

The Royals bolted to a 27-8 lead after the first quarter, shooting 44.4 percent from the field while forcing six Bates turnovers that they converted into 15 points. Scranton (31-0) held a double-digit advantage throughout, leading by as many as 27 in the fourth quarter.

Gorski went 10 of 14 from the floor while Kranson controlled the paint with 11 rebounds. Meghan Lamanna chipped in 13 points and six rebounds for the unbeaten Royals, who dominated inside, outscoring Bates 40-12 in the paint and collecting 16 second-chance points.

Elsa Daulerio led Bates with 18 points, and Sophie Spolter added 16. The Bobcats, coming off an overtime victory over Smith six days earlier, rallied to outscore Scranton 21-19 in the third quarter but could never overcome the first-quarter deficit. Petra Kuncz contributed seven rebounds off the bench. Bates, the NESCAC Champions, finishes the season with a 26-5 record.