BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Feb. 7, 2009) – The Alvernia University Crusaders (13-7, 9-4 Freedom) defeated the visiting Monarchs from King's College (8-13, 6-6 Freedom) 77-64 this afternoon in Freedom Conference action at Alvernia University. The Crusaders were paced by Alexandra Velazquez (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) who posted her ninth double-double of the season with 20 points and ten rebounds. Velazquez, just a sophomore, now sits with 501 career points.

The first half saw the Crusaders quietly build a lead of 15 points with just over five minutes remaining in the first half. Sophomore Velazquez sparked her team with three three-point plays in five minutes of play as she was fouled on three consecutive successful lay-ups and followed with a successful free throw. Velazquez's streak would fuel Alvernia to a 14-0 run to give them an impressive 22-8 lead at 11:40. Despite their early domination, Alvernia University would slowly see their lead diminish to the visiting Monarch's. King's went on a quick 7-0 run to bring them within eight points with 3:18 remaining. This 7-0 run was capped by senior guard Kaitlyn Fiorino draining a three that would give her the career record for three-pointers at King's College with 243 treys. Before the first half concluded the Crusader's would allow the Monarch's back into the game and ended the half clinging to a slight 38-34 lead.

The second half opened with back and forth action as King's came within one point of Alvernia thanks to another three-pointer from Fiorino. Velazquez put together yet another three-point play to put the Crusaders up by four and they would continue to build on this lead with a timely 18-2 run including seven points from sophomore Kelly McIntyre (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain). Junior Joanna Graber (Manalapan, NJ, Notre Dame) followed with a trey to give Alvernia the a 20 point lead. Graber was 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from the line for a perfect day and a season-high 17 points.

The Monarchs put together a nice run of their own scoring 12 straight points to come with eight of the lead, but it wouldn't be enough as Alvernia ended the game with a 12-7 run.  Freshman Allison Toczylowski (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) posted her fourth double-double of the season with an impressive 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Alvernia will return to action Tues. Feb. 10th in a non-conference match up against Washington College at home at 7:00 pm.

Alvernia 77, King's 64