BOX SCORE

Reading, PA (Jan. 25, 2006) – Alvernia College held College Misericordia to 26 percent first-half shooting and just 18 points by the break as the Crusaders avenged an earlier season loss with a 74-50 win over Misericordia Wednesday evening in Pennsylvania Athletic Conference women’s basketball action at the Physical Education Center.

            Alvernia opened up a 19-6 lead eight minutes into play and held a 30-18 lead at the break.  The Cougars (10-8, 4-5 PAC) got one field goal each from six different players in the opening half and shot 6-for-23 from the floor.  The second half gap was as close as 11 points at the 8:53 mark, but Alvernia rattled off seven straight to regain control and was never threatened.

            Senior guard Mandy Reinhart (Pine Grove, PA/Pine Grove) scored 10 of her team-high 18 points during the Crusaders’ (8-9, 7-3) opening 19-6 run.  CM cut into the lead with four quick points, but Alvernia junior Lauren Fortna (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon) scored five points during a 7-0 run that pushed the lead back to 16 points.  Misericordia cut the lead down to 12 points with 3:51 left in the half, and an exchange of buckets left the hosts up 12 points, 30-18 at the break.

            Alvernia freshman Maria Williams (Philadelphia, PA/Padua Academy) and Reinhart hit 3s early in the second half to push the lead to 16, and it took the Cougars nearly nine minutes to slowly cut the gap to 11.  The lead was 11 again at the 8:53 mark before two free throws and a 3 from Fortna fueled the 7-0 run that put the game out of reach.

            Alvernia will continue the conference schedule on Saturday at Wesley College.

Alvernia 74, Misericordia 50