Annville, Pa. (Jan. 17, 2015) - Lebanon Valley College (11-4, 3-4) scored nine of the last 11 points of the game over the final 4:30 to break a 47-all tie and claim a 56-49 win over Alvernia University (6-9, 2-5) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference women's basketball action at LVC Gymnasium.

The Dutchmen opened the game with an 18-3 run, but Alvernia bounced back with 12 straight points to close the game to three points.  Chelsea Ebersole hit back-to-back 3s to start the Crusaders' run and Morgan Downs capped it with back-to-back buckets.

Lebanon Valley answered with anothe run scoring eight straight for a 26-15 lead, but Alvernia cut the gap to four points by halftime, 28-24, when Stevie Fortna hit a 3 in the final minute of the half.

Alvernia hit five out of 10 3-pointers in the first half with Fortna and Ebersole going 2-for-4 each.

LVC doubled the lead early in the second half, but Alvernia eventually forced the first tie of the game, 37-all with 11 minutes left to play.  The Crusaders took their first lead on the next possession, and the lead exchanged hands twice before Bridget Rothert hit two free throws to tie the score at 47-all with 4:19 to go.

The Dutchmen scored three straight from the free throw line before a pair of Rothert buckets put the hosts up seven, 54-47 with just over two minutes to play.  Two more free throws made the late lead nine, and the Crusaders scored two points from the line with 17 seconds left.

Ebersole led the Crusaders with 11 points.  Rothert had a game-high 14 for the Dutchmen.

The Crusaders return home to host Albright on Wednesday.

Lebanon Valley 56, Alvernia 49