Reading, Pa. (Dec. 17, 2022) - Alvernia University (8-4, 4-0) used a massive second quarter to propel itself to a 74-47 win over Albright College (6-5, 2-2) on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action at Alvernia. 

Alvernia was trailing the Lions 15-13 after the first quarter. Alvernia then outscored the Loins 26-9 in the second frame. The Golden Wolves held the Lions to just two field goals in the final seven minutes of the second quarter. Alvernia continued to push the Lions the rest of the game en route to the commanding 74-47 win.

Alvernia is now 4-0 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Golden Wolves join Messiah University as the final two undefeated teams in conference play. The Falcons had a MAC Commonwealth bye this weekend. 

The Lions jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but the Golden Wolves got on the board with a Kayla Williams layup just over two minutes into the game. Albright extended its lead to 9-2, but a quick 7-0 run by Alvernia that was capped by a layup and and-one free throw by Tamia Wessels evened the game up at 9-9 with 2:22 to play in the first quarter.

The game was tied three more times in the final two minutes of the quarter, but Albright was able to take 15-13 lead into the second frame on a fastbreak layup as time was expiring in the quarter.

The Lions opened the second scoring with a layup on their first possession, but, Alvernia got within one, 17-16, on a Jordan Karmonick three.

The Golden Wolves then took the lead, 18-17, on a layup by Wessels. But, Albright took the lead right back on a Gabby Boggs layup. It would be Albright's last field goal for over seven minutes.

A kick out jumper by Karmonick on a pass from Cathryn Kramer sparked what would turn into a 19-5 run by Alvernia. The Lions scored only on foul shots until the final seconds of the quarter. A 3-pointer by Williams with 6:05 to play in the quarter gave Alvernia the lead and it would not relinquish it the rest of the game.

In addition to Williams' three, the 19-5 run also included 3-pointers by Karmonick and Wessels. Wessels scored Alvernia's final seven points of the run.

The Lion's field goal drought ended with a layup by Boggs with seven second remaining the half, but Alvernia had the final say of the quarter. Taliyah Malone quickly moved the ensuing possession down the floor and found Williams for a buzzer-beating layup to make it a 39-24 game in favor of Alvernia going into the break.

Alvernia shot 57% from beyond the arc in the second quarter, and was 10-for-18 from the field. The Golden Wolves were also a perfect 5-for-5 from the line - all from Wessels - in the first half.

The Lions scored two quick threes coming out of the half to cut Alvernia's lead back into single digits, 39-30. Alvernia called a timeout and regrouped, and came out of the quick break knocking down three 3-pointers over its next three possessions. Karmonick, Wessels, and Malone each hit a shot from beyond the arc. Alvernia continued to stay hot and a putback layup by Kramer gave Alvernia a 17 point lead, 50-33, with 6:03 to play in the third.

Alvernia made it a 20 point game, 53-33, on a Karmonick three off the assist of Williams, and a layup by Meghan Ruth 30 seconds later gave Alvernia a 22 point advantage midway through the third.

Alvernia's advantage stayed in the 20 point range the rest of the quarter as the Golden WOlves took a 63-42 lead into the final frame.

Alvernia came into the fourth quarter with Williams hitting a three and Wessels hitting a putback jumper to push Alvernia's lead to 26, 68-42, with 8:21 to play.

After a scoreless two minutes by both sides, Malone ended the brief drought with a layup. Two possessions later, Wessels made it a 30 point game with a layup off the feed of Williams. 

The Lions got five back to make it a 25 point game, but Williams scored the final points of the game on a layup from Karmonick to give Alvernia the 74-47 win after both teams went scoreless the final 2:46.

The Golden Wolves finished the afternoon with 11 made 3-pointers, and shot 40% from the floor.

Wessels led Alvernia with 21 points. She was 7-for-13 with two 3-pointers. She was also 5-for-6 from the line and had seven rebounds and three assists. Both Wililams and Karmonick finished with 16 points. Williams led Alvernia with 11 rebounds and six assists, and Karmonick finished with a team-high four 3-pointers.

Alvernia is back in action on Tuesday hosting Juniata in the final game before the holiday break.