BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Feb. 4, 2009) - The sophomore duo of Alex Velazquez (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) and Kelli McIntyre (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) scored 15 apiece to fuel Alvernia over the visiting Eagles from Eastern (6-12, 2-10 Freedom) by a score of 77-60 this evening in Freedom Conference action.  Velazquez added ten rebounds and six assists to put together yet another impressive evening helping Alvernia climb to (12-7, 8-4 Freedom).

McIntyre opened the scoring for the Crusaders tossing up a three-pointer to give Alvernia the early 3-2 lead, a lead which they would not lose again.  Velazquez followed with a quick six points as the Eagle defense appeared unable to control the Crusader's attack.  Alvernia's lead grew to 14 with under four minutes remaining in the first half thanks to a 14-5 run, including six from Velazquez and six from McIntyre.  The first half would end with Alvernia owning a comfortable 39-28 lead.

The second half would feature more of the same from the Crusaders, this time with freshman Allison Toczylowski (Mantua, NJ/Clearview Regional) netting a quick three points and junior Joanne Graber (Manalapan, NJ, Notre Dame) draining a three in the first two minutes of play.  The Crusader lead would grow to 25 at 9:59 after a 13-4 run that saw Ana Nieves (New Bedford, MA/Greater New Bedford) explode for a speedy six points.  With no real threat from the Eagles, the Crusaders would cruise through the last ten minutes of the game to land at a 77-60 final. 

Despite and impressive evening from Eagle Hanna Tobin who put up 20 points and grabbed five rebounds, Eastern falls to 6-12 overall and 2-10 in the Freedom Conference.

The Alvernia Crusaders will return to action this Saturday Feb. 7 at 1:00 pm in another home Freedom conference match-up, this time against Kings.

Alvernia 77, Eastern 60