BOX SCORE

St. David's, Pa. (Jan. 21, 2009) - Sophomore Kelli McIntyre (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain) led three players in double figures for Alvernia University (9-5, 6-2) with a game-high 22 points as the Crusaders handled former Pennsylvania Athletic Conference foe Eastern University (4-8, 1-6), 79-54 Wednesday evening in Freedom Conference Women's Basketball action at Eastern.

Freshman Allison Toczylowski (Mantua, N.J./Clearview Regional) totaled 13 points and 12 rebounds and sophomore Alex Velazquez (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) kicked in 16 points and 11 rebounds.  Alvernia ran its win streak to five straight on the season and nine straight over Eastern.

Alvernia hit 5-of-7 second-half 3s as it expanded on an eight-point halftime lead and crashed the offensive boards for 16 second chances en route to a 51-32 advantage in rebounds.  Eastern got a team-best 17 points from Bekah Roland.

Alvernia scored on its first possession and never trailed.  The first half lead was as high as nine points, 13-4, but the Crusaders held a tenuous two-point lead late in the half before closing with an 8-2 run for the 37-29 lead at the break.

The second-half lead was at 11 points midway through the frame before junior Joanna Graber (Manalapan, N.J./Notre Dame) capped a 7-0 spurt with a 3-pointer.  She was one of five Crusaders to connect from long range on the night.

The lead passed 20 points two minutes later on a Toczylowski layup, and reached its max at 25 points in the final minute.

Alvernia will return home to start its second time through the league schedule on Saturday when it hosts Manhattanville for a women's and men's doubleheader.  The Crusaders droppe the first match-up 86-81 at the Valiants.

Alvernia 79, Eastern 54