Reading, Pa. (Nov. 9, 2022) - Alvernia University (0-1) dropped its season opener to Stockton University (1-0) by a 51-47 decision on Wednesday night in non–conference women's basketball action at Alvernia. 

Alvernia led early with Tamia Wessels knocking down a free throw and Taliyah Malone hitting a jumper to give Alvernia the 3-0 lead after just over two minutes of action.

The Osprey came back and tied it up at 5-5 midway through the first before Jordan Karmonick knocked down a three following a steal by Malone.

The Golden Wolves and Osprey exchanged baskets the rest of the quarter, with a Malone jumper evening the game at 11-11 going into the second frame.

Malone's hot hand continued as she drained a three to open the second quarter scoring and give the Golden Wolves a 14-11 lead, but Stockton responded with a layup and a pair of made free throws to tie the game up at 15-14 with 6:38 left to play in the half. That layup sparked a 12-2 run that Stockton carried for the rest of the quarter to take a 23-16 lead into the half. Alvernia's only other two points of the quarter came off a layup by Kayla Williams with 3:39 to play in the half.

Stockton opened the second half with two jumpers in the opening two minutes to expand its lead to double-digits, 27-16, with 8:00 minutes left in the third. Alvernia got on the board in the second half with a three by Karmonick to cut it back down to single-digits, 27-19, with 7:03 left to play in the frame.

Stockton's scoring went cold over the next four minutes while a 3-pointer from Malone got it back down to a two possession game, 27-22, with 5:29 to play in the quarter. Both teams then went scoreless for the next minute until Stockton broke through with a layup by Alexa Zambiono with 4:23 left in the third to extend the lead back to 29-22.

Alvernia and Stockton traded baskets over the next three and a half minutes until Malone got the Golden Wolves within three, 33-30, on a 3-pointer with just under a minute to play in the third. No one scored the remainder of the quarter as Stockton held onto the small lead going into the final ten minutes.

Alvernia stayed within a possession for the opening two minutes until Malone hit another three to give Alvernia the lead, 37-35, with 8:07 to play.

Stockton got within one on a made free throw and retook the lead two minutes later on a jumper to make it 38-37 in favor of the Osprey with 6:02 remaining.

Alvernia stayed within a possession for the next five minutes until a steal off Alvernia's baseline and quick layup by Cathryn Kramer got Alvernia within one, 48-47, with 43 seconds to play.

The Golden Wolves had several opportunities to retake the lead in the final minutes - including a steal, another forced turnover, and two free throw opportunities - but could not capitalize. Stockton then made two free throws of its own in the final seconds to take the 51-47 win over Alvernia.

Malone led Alvernia with 18 points and added two steals. Kramer finished with eight points, eight rebounds, six blocks, and four steals.

The Golden Wolves are back in action this weekend at the NYU Tip-Off Tournament. Alvernia will take on the host on Saturday evening to open the tournament. The Golden Wolves then play Union on Sunday.