Reading, Pa. (Feb. 17, 2015) - Alvernia University (8-16, 4-11) held off several second half surges by Lebanon Valley College (16-8, 7-8) to capture a 69-55 victory in Commonwealth Conference women's basketball action Tuesday night at Jack McCloskey Court.

The Crusaders, who closed the first half with a 24-point margin, continued strong shooting through the first three minutes of the second half to go ahead 45-17. Alvernia lost some of its stride though as Lebanon Valley started to get hot, an 8-0 run by the Dutchmen cut the Crusader lead 45-27. A free throw by Kaitlyn Yoh put Alvernia back on the board, but Lebanon Valley quickly answered with a Bridget Rothert 3. Yoh responded again, this time with a jumper, to hold a 48-30 lead. The Dutchmen kept chipping away at the Crusaders' advantage, cutting the gap to 12 with nine minutes left to play.

Alvernia started to find its groove again, as Jenna Wolff drained a 3 and Morgan Downs made a jumper in the paint to extend its lead 53-36. Yoh and Mya Lobb kept the Crusader offense going, exchanging buckets with Lebanon Valley to hold a 58-40 advantage with 4:30 left.

The Dutchmen then made their final run of the night, netting nine consecutive points to come within nine. Tyra Roberts put a stop to Lebanon Valley's momentum as Chelsea Ebersole found Roberts under the net for the lay in and 60-49 lead. While Lebanon Valley would make two from behind the arc within a minute, Alvernia was clutch at the foul line to keep LVC from coming closer than eight. In the final two minutes, the Crusaders were an impressive 7-for-10 from the line, extending their lead back out for 14 for the 69-55 win.

Alvernia came out aggressive from the tip, opening the contest with a 6-0 lead off back-to-back 3s by Ebersole. Lebanon Valley put its first points on the board at the 17:20 mark before the Crusaders would post a 10-point run for the 16-2 lead. After a second Dutchmen basket, Alvernia put together another string of shots, securing a 21-4 advantage midway through the first half. The teams traded buckets with Lebanon Valley working at Alvernia's lead, bringing the Dutchmen within 10 at 25-15 with five minutes remaining until halftime. However the Crusaders had a larger lead in sight, posting a 14-0 run punctuated by another Ebersole three to give the Crusaders the 39-15 lead.

Yoh and Roberts were at the top of the Crusaders' scoring with 16 points, closely followed by Ebersole with 14. Alvernia shot 46% from behind the arc in the first half, and were 20-for-29 on the night from the free-throw line.

The Dutchmen posted two players with double-digit points as Rothert collected 17 and Taylor Umbrell notched 14.

Tuesday's win marks Alvernia's second win over Lebanon Valley College since 1992.

The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, traveling to Albright for their final contest of the season. Tip off is set for 2:00 pm.

Alvernia 69, Lebanon Valley 55