BOX SCORE

Allentown, Pa. (Nov. 20, 2009) - Alvernia University handed #5 Scranton 35 turnovers in a 57-47 defeat Friday afternoon in game one of the 28th Annual Scotty Wood Women's Basketball Tournament at Muhblenberg College's Memorial Hall.

The Crusaders dug an early hole turning the ball over six times during a 15-2 Scranton run that put the Royals out in front 26-15.

"We have to take better care of the ball," said head coach Kevin Calabria scouring the postgame box  for some positives.  "Angela Altemose (Pottsville, Pa./Nativity BVM) played her first game in nearly two years and she's only going to get better, but we definitely miss Kelli McIntyre (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Moutain)."

Altemose was one of three Crusaders to grab double-digit boards--helping the team to a 51-36 advantage on the glass.  She posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.  Junior forward Alex Velazquez (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) went for 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Allison Toczylowski (Mantua, N.J./Clearview Regional) grabbed 10 caroms. 

McIntyre's presence was definitely missed.  The junior guard returns second semester after spending the last six months serving in the army.  She's averaging better than 17 points per game through her first two seasons.  Friday's starting back court combined for six points and seven turnovers.

Calabria was impressed with the production he got from freshman reserve Cynthia Carralero (West, N.Y./Memorial).  In 11 minutes she wasn't credited with a bucket but did pull five rebounds and hand our a pair of assists as the Crusaders cut what was a 25-point deficit with 12:00 to play back to 10 in the final minutes.

The Royals canned one of their eight 3s with just over 12 to play opening up a 51-26 advantage.  The Crusaders had hit the locker room with 22 points and managed just four over the first eight minutes of the second half.  Alvernia junior Lil Snyder (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) scored on a layup and Velazquez followed with another.  Six minutes later Carralero set up Jenny Bonifant (Mount Airy, Md./Linganore) for a jumper to cut it to 15.

Velazquez cut the gap to 11 with three minutes to play, but the Crusaders got no closer until the final bucket of the game with 20 seconds to play.

"We're too good a team to play like that," finished Calabria.  "I'm disappointed now, but we'll get better."

The healing process could start as early as Saturday when the Crusaders tip at 1:00 in the Scotty Wood consolation against Pitt-Bradford, a 93-50 loser to host Muhlenberg.  The Muhls and Royals settle the championship at 6:00.

#5 Scranton 57, Alvernia 47