BOX SCORE Bridgewater, Va. (Nov. 11, 2023) - Alvernia University's (1-1) comeback attempt fell short as the Golden Wolves fell to Catholic University (2-0), 57-54, on Saturday in non-conference women's basketball action at the Bridgewater University Tip-Off Tournament.
The Cardinals led for the entire game until Alvernia tied it up with just over three minutes to play. But, the Cardinals held off Alvernia the rest of the way to come away with the win.
The Cardinals scored the opening four points of the contest, but Alvernia got on the board on a putback layup by Kayla Williams two and a half minutes into the action. But, Catholic pushed its lead to 11-4 as the quarter approached the halfway point.
The Cardinals kept a two possession lead much of the remainder of the first quarter, but Kylie Bradford subbed in for Alvernia and scored a quick four points as Alvernia trailed 17-11 going into the second quarter.
The Cardinals opened the second quarter with a layup to push their lead back to eight, 19-11, but Taliyah Malone knocked down a three to get Alvernia within five, 19-14. Alvernia kept it rolling with a Williams jumper and a free throw by Malone to get within two, 19-17, with 7:31 to play in the half. But, the Cardinals responded with a quick five points to make it a 24-17 game with 6:29 to go in the second.
After a nearly two minute scoreless stretch on both sides, Jordan Karmonick knocked down a three to make it a 24-20 game in favor of the Cardinals with 4:42 to play in the half.
Catholic's three minute scoring drought ended with a made free throw and a jumper to once again make it a seven point game, 27-20, with 3:31 to play in the half.
Both teams struggled to score the remainder of the quarter as Catholic took a 29-22 lead into the half.
Both teams came out of the half and struggled to get back into a rhythm. Alvernia scored the first points of the half off of a Karmonick layup with 7:49 on the clock to get within five, 29-24. But, Alvernia would be held to just two points - on a Meghan Ruth layup - over the next five minutes as Catholic built its lead to 11, 37-26. Alvernia's scoring slump came to a close off a Bradford layup with 2:44 on the clock, and Alvernia got back within six, 37-31 on a Malone 3-pointer with 1:27 to play in the third quarter. The Cardinals went on to score the final points of the half and took a nine point lead into the final frame, 40-31.
Alvernia kicked off the fourth quarter with a Karmonick 3-pointer to again get back within six, 40-34. Catholic then built its lead back up to ten, 47-37, with 6:12 to play. But, a layup by Williams sparked a 12-2 run for Alvernia that saw the Golden Wolves tie it up at 49-49 on a deep Karmonick three with 3:14 to play. But the Cardinals retook the lead on back-to-back layups to go back up by four, 53-49, with two minutes to go.
Alvernia then got one back on a free throw by Malone with 1:36 to play. Alvernia then forced a Catholic turnover on a shot clock violation as the game entered the final minute. Alvernia got back within two on the ensuing possession, 53-52, on a Tamia Wessels layup with 48 seconds to play.
The Cardinals called a timeout and came out of it making a layup to make it a three point game, 55-52, with 20 seconds to play. Alvernia then called a timeout of its own and queued up a 3-pointer from Williams. She missed the attempt but put back her own rebound with a layup to get within one, 55-54, with 11 seconds to go.
Alvernia had to foul the Cardinals four times to get them to the line, and the Cardinals made both attempts to make it a 57-54 game with six seconds to go. Alvernia called a timeout and advanced the ball up the floor. The Golden Wolves then inbounded it to Wessels, who quickly passed it to Williams. Williams then shot an off-balance 3-pointer that was just off the mark as the horn sounded as Catholic came away with the 57-54 win.
Karmonick led Alvernia with 12 points and nine rebounds. Malone and Williams each finished with 11 points.
Alvernia is back in action tomorrow at the Bridgewater Tip-Off taking on Rutgers-Newark.
