Alvernia University Athletics

Reading, Pa. (Dec. 12, 2023) - Immaculata University overcame an 18 point deficit to take a 73-69 win over Alvernia University on Tuesday night in non-conference women's basketball action at Alvernia.

The Golden Wolves led by 18 with 1:52 to go in the first half and took a 17 point lead into the half. But, the Mighty Macs doubled up on Alvernia in the third quarter to get within three. Immaculata then hit a go-ahead three with 1:04 to play and held on for the 73-69 win.

Immaculata improves to 3-7 on the year while Alvernia drops to 5-2.

How it Happened

• Alvernia got off to a fast 10-0 start in the opening minutes of the first quarter off of two layups by Jennah DeGout and two 3-pointers from Taliyah Malone. The Mighty Macs then called an early timeout and came out of the break to hit a 3-pointer and get on the board. 
• After Immaculata got within four with four minutes to play in the opening frame, Alvernia pushed its lead back to ten following a layup from Jordyn Ingelido, another 3-pointer from Malone, and a free throw by Williams. The Mighty Macs would then cut Alvernia's lead in half, 19-14, going into the second frame.
• A layup from Kayla Williams marked the opening points of the second frame and sparked a 13-3 run from Alvernia through the first five minutes of the second quarter. Williams scored five during the run and Jordan Karmonick and Malone each had three as Alvernia pushed its lead to 15, 32-17. 
• The Golden Wolves then held the Mighty Macs to five points the remainder of the first half while Alvernia tacked on nine more of its own from four different scorers to take a 41-24 lead into the half.
• Alvernia shot 8-for-21 from beyond the arc in the first half and 39% from the floor. Alvernia also forced 12 turnovers by Immaculata in the first half while committing just two turnovers of its own.
• The Mighty Macs opened the second half with new life, going on a 17-4 run over four and a half minutes of action as Immaculata cut Alvernia's lead down to four, 45-41, with 5:33 to play in the third frame.
• A putback layup from Williams and back-to-back Ingelido jumpers made it an eight point game in favor of the Golden Wolves, but the Mighty Macs kept chipping away. A jumper from Immaculat's Reece Mullins in the final seconds of the third quarter brought Immaculata within one possession, 55-52, heading into the fourth quarter.
• Immaculata got within one following an Alvernia turnover on the first possession of the quarter, and tied it up at 56-56 with 7:50 to play. Alvernia briefly put a bit of distance between itself and Immaculta on a 3-point play by Tamia Wessels and a Karmonick jumper off a Williams steal, but Immaculata tied it up again at 65-65 with two minutes to go.
• After another Alvernia turnover, a fantastic corner three by Immaculata's Reece Mullins gave the Mighty Macs their first lead of the game, 68-65, with 1:04 to play.
• Alvernia got back within two twice off of DeGout layups in the final 30 seconds, but the Mighty Macs made crucial free throws to come away with the 73-69 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Taliyah Malone led Alvernia with 18 points and shot 57% from 3-point range with four made 3-pointers. She also had four rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
• Kayla Williams finished with 15 points and DeGout also reached double-digits with 11 points. DeGout also led Alvernia with seven rebounds. Both Karmonick and Wessels finished with seven points and five assists.
• Alvernia finished the night shooting 36% from the floor and 26.7% from beyond the arc. Alvernia did not make a 3-pointer in the second half after making eight in the first half.
• Mullins led the Mighting Macs with 20 points while Abigail Lentowski finished with an impressive 15 rebounds and 17 points.
• Immaculata shot 51% in the second half, including 50% from beyond the arc with six made 3-pointers.

Of Note

• Alvernia still holds an 8-2 advantage over Immaculata through the last 10 matchups. But, tonight's win for Immaculata marks the Mighty Mac's first win over Alvernia since a 74-69 win in 2006.
• Alvernia's two losses this season have both come by four points or less. Alvernia currently holds a +100 scoring margin on the season.

Up Next

• Alvernia hosts Goucher for a Saturday afternoon matchup on December 16th. It's Alvernia's first time playing the Gophers since 2017 when Alvernia defeated Goucher 81-53. The Gophers are looking to pick up their first win of the 2023-24 season after an 0-9 start.