Chester, Pa. (Feb. 15, 2022) - A quick shift in momentum in the third quarter powered Widener University (16-6, 12-3) to a 79-65 win over Alvernia University (10-13, 3-12) on Tuesday night in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action at Widener. 

After a back-and-forth first half, a 3-pointer from Jordan Karmonick gave Alvernia a brief 41-39 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the third to cap an 11-4 run by Alvernia to open the third. Widener called a timeout, regrouped, and outscored Alvernia 14-9 the rest of the quarter. Alvernia got within eight in the fourth, but could not get any closer as Widener came away with the 79-65 win. 

The Pride opened the game with two quick baskets to take an early 4-0 lead after a minute of action. Alvernia answered with layups from Tamia Wessels and Kayla Williams to tie it up at 4-4 with 7:23 to play in the first.

Four minutes later, with the game tied at 6-6, a 3-pointer by Tamia Wessels gave Alvernia a 9-6 advantage. The Pride answered with a three of their own to lock it up at 9-9, but a layup from Tyra Robinson again gave Alvernia the lead, 11-9, with 2:45 to play in the quarter.

The back-and-forth continued and a jumper with 50 seconds left in the first gave Widener a slight 16-15 advantage. Neither team scored in the final 50 seconds as the Pride took their one point lead into the second quarter.

A converted free throw from Taliyah Malone opened the second quarter scoring and tied the game up at 16-16 with 8:25 on the clock, and a second made free throw by Malone put the Golden Wolves up 17-16.

Widener scored on a put-back layup on its next possession to take an 18-17 lead with just over eight minutes remaining. 

The Pride held onto a two possession lead for the next six minutes until a Kayla Williams three brought Alvernia within two, 31-29, with 2:13 on the first half clock. 

The Golden Wolves were held scoreless the rest of the quarter while the Pride added four to their lead to take a 35-29 advantage into the second half.

A made free throw from Williams marked the opening point of the third and brought Alvernia within five, 35-30, but the Pride matched it with two made free throws of their own to push their lead to seven, 37-30.

A jumper from Williams at the 8:47 mark of the third marked the opening points of Alvernia's 11-4 run that also saw three pointers from Williams and Karmonick and put Alvernia head 41-39 with 7:22 to play in the third.

The Pride tied it on a Jordan D'Ambrosio layup, and took the 43-41 lead on a Charlotte Stern layup with 6:31 on the third quarter clock. 

After a run of back-and-forth play from the Golden Wolves and Pride, a three pointer from Malone with 1:56 on the third quarter clock brought Alvernia back within two, 48-46. But, the Pride scored the final five of the quarter to take a 53-46 advantage into the final frame.

The Pride held Alvernia to two points in the opening two and a half minutes of the fourth while building their lead up to 11, 59-48, with 7:28 to play. 

Widener held a double-digit lead for the next four minutes, but a Kylie Bradford layup brought Alvernia back within single digits, 67-59.

The Golden Wolves made a few shots in the final minutes, but they were all matched by the Pride as Widener came away with the 79-65 win over Alvernia.

Wessels led all scorers with a career-high 19 points. She also added a team-high seven boards and two assists. Williams also reached double-digits with 16 points, and Malone added 13.

The Golden Wolves return to action on Saturday to host Hood College in the regular-season finale. In an all-comers postseason, Alvernia is currently ranked eighth in the conference. If the Golden Wolves defeat the Blazers on Saturday, Alvernia will host Hood again on Monday in the 8v9 game in the opening round of the playoffs.