St. David's, Pa. (Jan. 5, 2022) - A strong start to the second half powered Eastern University (4-8, 1-3) to a 70-59 win over Alvernia University (6-6, 0-4) on Wednesday night in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action at Eastern. 

With Alvernia hovering within five points, 32-27, at the half, Eastern University opened the 3rd quarter with a 9-0 run to take a double digit lead and never looked back. 

The Golden Wolves opened the game with a quick 3-pointer from Taliyah Malone, but Eastern responded just over a minute later with a three of its own to tie it up at 3-3. 

The two teams went back and forth much of the first quarter, but a 3-pointer by the Eagles with 2:56 left in the first gave Eastern a slight 16-13 advantage.

Made free throws by Jannelle Robinson and Malone brought Alvernia back within one, 16-15, and a jumper from Jordan Karmonick put Alvernia back in front, 17-16, with 1:20 left in the first.

The Golden Wolves and Eagles continued their back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, but a steal and fastbreak layup by Malone gave Alvernia the 19-18 advantage going into the second frame.

Much like the first quarter, Alvernia and Eastern played the second quarter close. The Golden Wolves took their biggest lead of the quarter, 23-20, off of back-to-back jumpers from Karmonick and Kelly Fetter with 6:04 to play. But, Alvernia's advantage lasted just about a minute until Eastern retook the lead, 24-23, with 5:06 to play in the half.

A 3-pointer by Eastern with 4:03 remaining gave the Eagles a 29-25 advantage, but Alvernia again worked its way back within two, 29-27, with a layup by Fetter. However, the Eagles held Alvernia scoreless the rest of the quarter as Eastern took the 32-27 advantage into the second half.

The Eagles came out of the break fast, scoring on three straight possessions while keeping Alvernia off the board for nearly three minutes. Eastern went on to build it's lead up to 14, 41-27, with 7:53 left in the third quarter.

Alvernia broke its scoring drought with a Malone three with 7:10 left in the quarter, and a Jannelle Robinson jumper brought Alvernia back within single digits, 41-32, with 6:08 left in the quarter. But, Eastern would not allow Alvernia to get any closer the rest of the way.

Eastern held its double digit lead through the remainder of the third quarter, and built its lead up to 15 multiple times in the final frame. Alvernia scored the final points of the contest, a layup by Karmonick, as Eastern came away with the 70-59 win.

Malone led Alvernia's offense with 17 points. She also added three assists and two steals. Both Karmonick and Cathryn Kramer finished the night with double-doubles. Karmonick finished 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Kramer finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Kramer also added five blocks on the night. 

Alvernia returns to action on Saturday at Messiah.