BOX SCORE

Muhlenberg, Pa. (Jan. 5, 2008) – Alvernia College hit six of its 16 free throws during a late 8-1 run that cut the Muhlenberg lead down to two points, but the Muhls scored the final four points of the game for a 78-72 win Saturday afternoon in non-conference women's basketball action at Memorial Hall.

Alvernia was led by senior Jill Rosolie (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco) with 16 points and falls to 3-6 this season. The road doesn't get easier for the Crusaders who host #6 Messiah College Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Alvernia bucked a recent trend by getting off to a fast start and an early 9-2 lead. The Crusaders were down double-digits in the first half of both losses in St. Thomas over the holiday break. Freshman Alex Velazquez (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) opened the scoring and had four of the Crusaders' first nine.

Muhlenberg (7-3) answered with an 8-0 spurt and then following five lead changes, the Crusaders pushed the gap back to five points, 28-23, with 6:55 left in the first half on a Michelle Lutzkanin (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) 3.

The Alvernia lead grew to as many as six points with under a minute on the clock, but Muhlenberg closed the half with four straight points from Kelly McKeon (Watertown, Pa./Holy Cross) to enter the break down just two, 37-35.

The lead changed hands a few times in the early going in the second half and when Sheila Cook (Rockville Center, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) scored on a putback of a missed free throws, the Muhls took the lead for the final time. The Muhls pounded the glass for an astonishing 26 offensive rebounds which led to 28 second-chance points.

Muhlenberg's Lauren Boyle (Wantage, N.J./High Point Regional) led all scorers with 17 points, McKeon finished with 16, and Cook added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Alvernia freshman Kelli McIntyre (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain) had 11 points and five assists, and Allee Barnes (Blooming Glen, Pa./Pennridge) totaled eight points and eight rebounds.

Muhlenberg 78, Alvernia 72