Chester, Pa. (Jan. 25, 2023) - Widener University (6-13, 3-6) jumped out to an early lead and held off Alvernia University (12-7, 7-3) the rest of the way as the Pride came away with a 65-56 MAC Commonwealth win over the Golden Wolves on Wednesday night at Widener.

The Pride led Alvernia 25-11 after the first quarter and extended that lead to 45-22 at the half. Alvernia held Widener to just seven points in the third quarter as Alvernia chipped away at the lead. The Golden Wolves got within six in the final minute of the game, but Widener was able to hold Alvernia off for the 65-56 win.

The Pride held Alvernia to just six points in the opening 5:45 of action while Widener put up 17 points. Alvernia's only points came off a Taliyah Malone layup to open the game's scoring, and  three points from Tamia Wessels off a layup and a pair of made free throws.

Alvernia added five more before the end of the quarter, but still trailed the Pride 25-11 going into the second frame. Widener converted five 3-pointers in the first ten points and were 10-for-20 overall in the first ten minutes. 

The Golden Wolves opened the second quarter scoring with Nicole Etchison knocking down a layup to bring Alvernia within 12, 25-13. But, the Pride continued to stay hot, outsourcing Alvernia 12-2 over the next four minutes to extend their lead to 37-17.

Alvernia went on a quick 7-2 run over the next two and half minutes with Tyra Robinson, Jordyn Ingelido, and Meghan Ruth each contributing points to bring Alvernia within 17, 39-22. But, the Pride ended the half with a bang, knocking down back-to-back threes to take a 45-22 lead into the half.

Alvernia reset at the half, and the Golden Wolves opened the second half with back-to-back layups from Cathryn Kramer and Kayla Williams. Alvernia chipped away over the four minutes, and a layup from Ingelido brought Alvernia within 14, 47-33, with 4:14 to play in the third.

The Golden Wolves were held without a field goal in the final 2:30 of the quarter, but did convert three free throws to make it a 52-38 game in favor of the Pride heading into the final ten minutes. Alvernia forced five turnovers in the third quarter and held the Pride to three field goals.

The Pride scored the first three points of the final frame to extend their lead back to 19 points, 57-38.

A layup from Kramer followed by a 3-pointer from Wessels quickly brought Alvernia within 14, 57-43, with just over eight minutes to play. Another layup from Kramer with 6:23 to play brought Alvernia within 13, 59-46, but those points marked the start of a scoring drought on both sides that lasted the next three minutes.

A layup from Widener broke the scoring drought and extended Widener's lead back to 15, 61-46, with 3:18 to play.

Wessels matched Widener's layup with one of her own to get within 13, 61-48, with 3:03 on the clock. 

A layup from Wiliams with 2:22 to play sparked a quick 6-0 run for Alvernia over the next 90 seconds. A layup from Malone marked the end of the run for Alvernia as the Golden Wolves found themselves within seven, 61-54, with 50 seconds to play.

Alvernia was forced to start fouling the Pride, but the Golden Wolves stayed in the game as a layup from Williams with 38 seconds to play brought Alvernia within six, 62-56.

The Golden Wolves had a few more looks on net, but the Pride were able to convert three free throws in the final seconds to keep Alvernia just out of reach, 65-56.

Wessels led Alvernia with 14 points. Williams finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday hosting York.