BOX SCORE

Ewing, N.J. (Jan. 6, 2010) - Alvernia University (6-2) survived a furious comeback attempt by making its last eight free throws in a 64-59 win over The College of New Jersey (6-7) Wednesday evening in non-conference women's basketball action at TCNJ.

The Crusaders knocked down their last field goal of the game, a layup from sophomore Angela Altemose (Pottsville, Pa./Nativity BVM) with 5:34 to play, that gave them a 24-point lead, 55-31.  The Lions cut 20 points off that lead in less than five minutes closing to 56-52 on a 3 from Jessica Imhof.  Alvernia senior Joanna Graber (Manalapan, N.J./Notre Dame) hit six straight free throws over the next 30 seconds and Lil Snyder (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter Strasburg) hit two more with a second left for the final margin.

The Alvernia defense clamped down in the first half holding the Lions to 35 percent shooting and 23 points at the break.  The effort continued as the Lions only tacked on eight more points over the first 14-plus minutes of the second half while Alvernia doubled its hafltime lead to 24.

The Crusaders put four players in double figures led by 16 from Altemose.  Kelli McIntyre (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain) scored a dozen, Alex Velazquez (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) added 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Graber finished with 10.

TCNJ had three players in double figures led by Imhof's 12.

Alvernia returns to the conference schedule on Saturday with a men's and women's doubleheader at Lebanon Valley.

Alvernia 64, TCNJ 59