Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2023) - Wisconsin Lutheran used a strong second half to defeat Alvernia University 72-59 on Thursday night in non-conference women's basketball action at the Daytona Beach Shootout.

Alvernia led with 4:30 left in the first quarter, and held the lead until 1:30 to play in the second quarter until the Warriors retook the lead. Wisconsin did not let the lead go from there as they rode a hot hand through the second half to the 72-59 win.

With the loss, Alvernia drops to 7-3 on the season as the Golden Wolves hit the holiday break. Wisconsin Lutheran improved to 6-4 on the year. Both teams went 1-1 in Daytona Beach.

How it Happened

• Both the Golden Wolves and Warriors exchanged early 3-pointers in their first full possessions - with Alvernia's 3-pointer coming off the hands of Kayla Williams. But scoring went cold for the next three minutes.
• A Warrior 3-pointer broke the game's early scoring drought and gave the Warriors the early 6-3 lead. But, Alvernia retook the lead, 9-8, a few minutes later to jumpers from Tamia Wessels and a pair of made free throws from Taliyah Malone. A 3-pointer from Jordan Karmonick then pushed it to a two possession game, 12-8, with four minutes to play in the first quarter.
• The Golden Wolves and Warriors traded baskets to close out the quarter with Alvernia holding the slight 14-13 advantage.
• Wessels opened the second quarter for Alvernia with a 3-pointer from Wessels, but the Warriors responded with a layup to cut the game back to two, 17-15. Scoring again slowed up as both teams went scoreless for over two minutes. But, a jumper from Wessels and a 3-pointer from Karmonick sprung the game back to life and gave Alvernia the seven point advantage, 22-15, with 5:54 to play in the half.
• The Alvernia continued to find success from beyond the arc with Malone joining in on the three point shooting to push Alvernia's lead to 25-17 with four minutes to play in the half. But, Wisconsin closed out the half on a 12-2 run and spoiled Alvernia's lead going into the break as the Warriors took the two point advantage, 29-27, into the break.
• The Golden Wolves and Warriors shared nearly identical stats in the first half, with both shooting 38.5% from 3-point territory and 50% from the line. Alvernia held the slight advantage in the field, also shooting 38.5%, but the Warriors outrebounded Alvernia 26-15 in the first half.
• The Warriors came out firing, scoring at least a point on their first six possessions of the third quarter to take a 41-32 lead through the first four minutes of the quarter. Alvernia stayed close, but the Warriors pulled away into a double-digit lead, 44-34, with 4:43 to play the quarter. 
• Alvernia got back within single digits, 44-36, on a putback layup from Karmonick. Both teams traded points for the next three minutes, but the Warriors closed out the quarter scoring four straight to take a 52-40 lead into the final quarter.
• The Warriors pushed it to a 14 point lead, 54-40, on their first possession of the quarter, but Alvernia threatened with a quick five points from Wessels to get back within single digits once again, 54-45, with 8:39 to play.
• Alvernia got within nine three more times, with its last threat coming with 4:44 to play,but the Golden Wolves could never get any closer as the Warriors stayed sharp from the field and came away with the 72-59 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Wessels led Alvernia's scoring efforts with 19 points. She shot 8-for-13 from the field and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. She also brought down five rebounds.
• Karmonick led Alvernia with nine rebounds and also reached double-digit scoring with 11 points. Malone also hit double digits with 14 points.
• Alvernia finished the night shooting 40.4% from the field. Alvernia struggled from the free throw line, converting just 56% of its opportunities. 
• The Warriors were led by Margie Stevens with 21 points and 9 rebounds.
• Wisconsin Lutheran improved its shooting percentage by 20% in the second half, shootin 53% in the final 20 minutes compared to 33% in the first half.

Of Note

• Malone scored 10 or more points for the sixth straight game. She also scored seven of Alvernia's nine made free throws, which matches an individual season-high for Alvernia.
• Alvernia was out-rebounded for just the third time this season, all of which occurred in losses for the Golden Wolves.
• Alvernia forced 12 turnovers from the Warriors. It was the first time Wisconsin-Lutheran had more turnovers than an opponent this season.

Up Next: 

• Alvernia will take its 7-3 record into an eight day break for the holidays. The Golden Wolves will return to action on December 30th at Wilkes University. Alvernia is 4-1 all-time against Wilkes with the Golden Wolves taking the last match-up, 75-70, in March of 2021.
• Wilkes will enter the game with a 5-5 record. The Colonels are coming off a 70-51 loss to Delaware Valley. It will be their first game following a two week break.