Reading, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2015) – Stevenson University (19-2, 13-0) closed the first half with a 10-3 run and held a double-digit lead for most of the second half in a 62-45 win over Alvernia University (7-15, 3-10) Wednesday evening in Commonwealth Conference women's basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.
 
With the win, the Mustangs clinch the top seed and home court throughout the Commonwealth Championships, which begin Monday, Feb. 23, with a 4/5 first round game.
 
Stevenson opened the game with a 14-0 run as the Crusaders went 0-for-6 with four turnovers.  Stevie Fortna scored on an up-and-under in the paint five minutes in for the Crusaders first bucket of the game.
 
Eight minutes later Tyra Roberts grabbed a rebound on a missed free throw and put it back to pull the Crusaders within a point, 16-15.  Roberts scored 10 points on the 15-2 run and finished the half with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Stevenson pushed its first half lead back to six points, 22-16 on a 3 from Kayleigh Guzek with 3:32 to go.  The Mustangs closed the half on what was a 10-3 run to take a 26-18 lead into the break.
 
Alvernia pulled within eight points, 33-25 on a 3-pointer from Chelsea Ebersole with 14:46 to play, but Stevenson answered with six straight points and held a comfortable lead the rest of the way.
 
Alvernia got 18 points and 17 rebounds from Roberts.  Stevenson put three players in double figures led by Sara Tarbert who scored 17 points to go with 11 rebounds.
 
Alvernia continues the conference schedule Saturday at Widener.
 
Stevenson 62, Alvernia 45