New York, NY (Nov. 13, 2022) - Alvernia University (1-2) used a 45-point first half to propel itself to a 71-61 win over Union College (1-2) on Sunday afternoon in non-conference women's basketball at the NYU Tip-Off Tournament at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility.

The win for the Golden Wolves also marked the 100th win of Head Coach Rayne Reber's career. Reber came to Alvernia with 73 wins under her belt from her during five seasons at the helm of Rosemont College. She has now recorded 27 wins with the Golden Wolves. 

The Golden Wolves were outscored 32-16 in the second half, but the cushion they were able to build in the first half with the 45-29 lead at the break proved to be enough.

A 3-pointer off the jump by Tamia Wessels and a layup by Jordan Karmonick gave Alvernia the early 5-0 lead in the opening 90 seconds.

After Union got within three, 8-5, Alvernia went on a 9-0 run to take a double-digit lead, 17-5, with four minutes to go in the first quarter. The run included four points from Kayla Williams, a Karmonick three, and a Kelly Fetter layup. 

The Golden Wolves then hit two threes in the final minute of the quarter - one from Jordyn Ingelido and one from Meghan Ruth - to help take a 23-14 lead into the second quarter. 

Union opened the scoring in the second half with a layup, and the Dutchwomen hung within single digits for the next three and a half minutes until a jumper by Wessels extended Alvernia's lead back to ten, 33-23, with 6:01 to play.

Alvernia continued to push the pace and outscored Union 12-6 in the final six minutes of first half action. Williams contributed eight points and a block to lead Alvernia during the run and into the half with a 16 point lead. 

A Taliyah Malone layup opened the second half scoring for Alvernia with a layup at the 8:25 mark of the third quarter. After Union responded with a layup, Wessels and Karmonick each hit 3-pointers to give Alvernia its largest lead of the game at 53-34 with 6:16 to play in the third. 

The Golden Wolves continued to stay hot as Williams knocked down a three and Wessels hit a jumper to give Alvernia a 21 point advantage, 58-37, with 4:30 to play in the quarter. 

The Golden Wolves were then held to just one point the rest of the quarter as Alvernia's advantage slipped to 14, 59-45, going into the final frame.

Alvernia came into the final ten minutes hot, scoring eight points in the opening three minutes of the quarter to take its lead up to 22, 69-47, with Malone and Wessels hitting threes and Williams converting a layup.

While the Golden Wolves were held to just two points the rest of the quarter, the lead they built was too much for Union to overcome as Alvernia came away with the 71-61 win.

Wessels led all scorers with 18 points. Williams finished with 17 points and seven boards, and two blocks. Karmonick finished with 16 points, three rebounds, and two steals. Karmonick was also named to the all-tournament team. 

Alvernia is back in action on Tuesday as the Golden Wolves host Ursinus.