BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Nov. 21, 2006) – Alvernia College made just six field goals in 30 attempts in the second half allowing Albright College to overcome a five point halftime deficit and claim a 57-54 win in non-conference women’s basketball action Tuesday evening at the Bollman Center.

            Alvernia (1-3) built a 29-24 lead at the break on the strength of a 36 percent shooting effort and a defense that held the host Lions (2-1) to 24 percent shooting.  Albright tied the score at 41-all on a Staci Waligorski layup with 9:44 remaining, but Alvernia took the lead back on four straight free throws, the final one putting the guests up 48-47 with 4:27 to play.

            Albright countered with five straight points before Alvernia senior Lauren Fortna (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon Catholic) scored five of her game-high 17 to knot the score at 57-all with 1:00 to go.  Albright took a slim lead on a layup by Jaqueline Hardwick, and Alvernia sophomore Allee Barnes (Blooming Glen, PA/Pennridge) hit 1-of-2 free throws with a chance to tie the game with four seconds to play.  Albright closed the scoring with a pair of free throws from Annie McMahon.

            McMahon finished with a team-high 15 for the Lions who got point production from 10 different players.  Fortna was the only Crusader to reach double figures while senior Erin Knarr (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) pulled down a game-high 11 boards.

            Alvernia will face Wesley College in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference opener on Nov. 30.

Albright 57, Alvernia 54