BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Jan. 13, 2010) – Sophomore center Angela Altemose (Pottsville, Pa./Nativity BVM) scored a game-high 16 points and junior Alex Velazquez (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) added 13 as Alvernia University (7-3, 3-1) cruised past Arcadia University (4-9, 0-4), 60-39 Wednesday evening in Commonwealth Conference women's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.

The Crusaders scored the first 20 points of the ball game and never trailed. It was not as celebrated a victory as it could have been going into Saturday's game at 14th-ranked Messiah.

“I'm not happy with the way we're playing,” said head coach Kevin Calabria in a bit of a frustrated tone after Wednesday's win. “I'm challenging some of these guys and we'll see if they fight or quit.”

Senior guard Joanna Graber (Manalapan, N.J./Notre Dame) and junior guard Kelli McIntyre (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain) came off the bench for the first time this season and scored six and eight points respectively. The numbers could have been better had a few more free throws went down. The team combined to shoot 10-for-22 from the line. Remove 8-for-10 from the starters and the rest hit just 2-of-12.

“Joanna's gotta respond,” said Calabria. “She had one step through for a steal and went in for the 3-point play. That was a good aggressive move. We need to see more of that.”

Building the early 20-point cushion gave the coaching staff the opportunity to work on a few things for the future. The Crusaders put a total of 16 players on the floor against the Scarlet Knights getting point production from half of them, but Calabria will look to get more efficiency from his main core.

“We're playing like we have a spark plug problem,” continued Calabria in his best assessment. “We're working on finding out what that problem is. We'll be okay.”

They're back for two days of practice Thursday and Friday and will need to fire on all cylinders if they hope to threaten Messiah on Saturday.

Alvernia 60, Arcadia 39