BOX SCORE
Reading, PA (Jan. 14, 2006) – Seven players recorded at least one steal led by a career-high five by junior guard Kerry Higgs (Westminster, MD/Westminster), as Alvernia College forced 35 turnovers in a 64-49 win over Arcadia University Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania Athletic Conference women’s basketball action at the Physical Education Center.
Alvernia opened up an early 12-6 lead following a layup by freshman Maria Williams (Philadelphia, PA/Padua Academy) who finished with a career-high 14 points. Arcadia rattled off nine of the next 11 capped by a pair of free throws by Amanda Holroyd (Richboro, PA/Council Rock) that put the Knights (5-7, 1-3 PAC) up 15-14 with 11:26 left in the first.
Alvernia answered with a 12-4 run to take a seven point lead, 26-19 with 6:08 left before the break. Alvernia forced three straight turnovers to start the run. Junior Lauren Fortna (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon Catholic) led the way for Alvernia (3-9, 2-3) with four of her six points. Arcadia freshman Melissa Pendleton (Philadelphia, PA/Bodine) hit a 3 to stop the run, and the Crusaders responded with a 9-2 streak to end the first half. Williams hit a layup at 1:05 and senior guard Mandy Reinhart (Pine Grove, PA/Pine Grove) scored on a jumper with 49 ticks left that gave the hosts a 35-24 lead at the break.
Arcadia closed the second half gap to seven points on four different occasions and the spread was six, 44-38 following a Katie Lynch (Philadelphia, PA/Little Flower) layup with 12:29 to play. Lynch finished the game with 16 points and 12 rebounds, both game highs.
Alvernia freshman Allee Barnes (Blooming Glen, PA/Pennridge) hit a jumper from the top of the key to put Alvernia up eight and Michelle Lutzkanin (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) nailed her third 3 of the day to push the gap to 11 points, 51-40 with 10:20 to go.
The lead grew to 18 points, 64-46 in the final minutes of play with Lynch hitting a layup on the final play for the 64-49 final.
Alvernia will travel to Marywood University on Monday for a women’s and men’s PAC doubleheader with the Pacers.
Alvernia 64, Arcadia 49
