Reading, Pa. (Nov. 22, 2014) - Alvernia University (2-1,1-0) overcame a 14-point deficit midway through the second half to capture a 54-51 victory over conference rival Lycoming College (3-1, 0-1) in its home opener Saturday afternoon at Jack McCloskey court.

Lycoming, leading the Crusaders 28-21 to open the second half, pulled ahead to a 39-25 margin with 15:43 left in the game. A jumper by Morgan Downs and two foul shots by Stevie Fortna brought Alvernia within ten. Lycoming's Victoria Siebecker extended the Warrior lead back to 12, but Fortna quickly kept the Crusaders offense going, drowning the three to close Lycoming's lead to 41-32 with 13 minutes left to play. Over the next two minutes, Alvernia used a jumper by Imani Hudson and back-to-back layups from Kaitlyn Yoh and Tyra Roberts to come within three.

Warrior Ali Derr put Lycoming back on the board with just over 10 minutes left to bring the game to 43-38, but Fortna  nailed her second three of the half to bring Alvernia within two. Roberts then put away a pair of foul shots to tie the game at 43-43. Lycoming went up two a minute later, but a foul shot by freshman Jada Boyce made it 45-44 Lycoming.

The Crusaders took their first lead of the game with 8:36 on the clock on a layup by Boyce. After the Warriors tied the game for the second time, Hudson put the Crusaders back out in front 48-46. A pair of made free throws by Lycoming's Nicole Calella brought about yet another tie, and a Lycoming jumper after a Roberts foul shot have the Warriors the 50-49 lead with just over four minutes left in the game.

Fortna once again sparked the Crusaders, draining a free throw to tie the game 50-50. Yoh answered a Lycoming foul shot to give Alvernia the final lead change at 52-51 Crusaders. Downs locked in a three point margin with a pair of free throws with 17 seconds on the clock. The Warriors had three offensive possessions in the final seconds, but two missed shots and were shut down in their other possession by a key block by Boyce.

In the first half, Lycoming jumped ahead to an early lead, holding a seven point advantage with 14 minutes left in the half. The Crusaders came within three on a jumper by Hudson, but were unable to close the gap any further. Lycoming's largest lead was at 7:40 when it led by 12. The Crusaders and the Warriors exchanged goals throughout the last five minutes of the half with Lycoming taking a seven point lead into halftime.

Roberts led the scoring for the Crusaders, knocking down ten with four rebounds. Fornta added on nine points of her own, with Downs picking up eight.

In addition to the win, Alvernia also celebrated local organizations today, inviting the Reading Special Olympics to parktake in a half-time scrimmage. Members of the Alvernia community and the men's basketball team participated in the scrimmage and cheered on the athletes. Funds for the Special Olympics will be raised at a Crusader Softball game in the spring season.

Alvernia returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to Delaware Valley fora 6:00 tip-off in non-conference action.