BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Jan. 22, 2007) – Senior forward Erin Knarr (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) scored Alvernia’s final five points and Lauren Fortna (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon Catholic) finished with a game-high 18 to lead Alvernia to a 53-48 win over College Misericordia Monday evening in Pennsylvania Athletic Conference women’s basketball action at the Physical Education Center.

            Alvernia (10-6, 8-1 PAC) led the defensive struggle 23-16 at the break, but the Cougars (8-8, 5-3 PAC) went on a tear to start the second half and held a six point lead, 39-33, with 13:00 to play.  Fortna cut the deficit in half with three straight free throws, and freshman forward Janelle Richardson (Manor, DE/Delcastle) converted a three point play to knot the score at 39-all with 11:46 to play.

            An exchange of buckets ensued and then a combined five straight turnovers.  Fortna’s jumper at 8:09 gave Alvernia its first lead in over seven minutes and Richardson pushed the gap to four.  Misericordia pulled within two points three times in the final four minutes, but the Crusaders doubled the lead ever time.

            Alvernia held a 10 point lead, 18-8, midway through the first half, but Misericordia trimmed that to two with an 8-0 run.  Knarr scored on back-to-back layups and sophomore Rachel Koerner (Belcamp, MD/Harford Tech) hit a free throw for a seven point halftime lead.

            Misericordia got a team high 13 from junior forward Ericka Morrison (Avon Lake, OH/Avon Lake) and 10 from Lacey DeGraw (Tyler Hill, PA/Honesdale).  Knarr joined Fornta in double figures with 11 for the Crusaders.

            Alvernia will host Cedar Crest College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Alvernia 53, Misericordia 48