Wilkes, Pa. (Dec. 30, 2023) - Alvernia University overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to take down Wilkes University 57-53 on Saturday afternoon in non-conference women's basketball action at Wilkes.

Alvernia trailed the Colonels 28-17 at the half after Alvernia was held to just four points in the second quarter. But, the Golden Wolves came back and took the lead with 9:18 to play in the fourth quarter. Alvernia then came out on top in a back-and-forth fourth quarter to come away with the 57-53 win. 

With the win, Alvernia improves to 8-3 on the season, while the Colonels drop to 5-6.

How it Happened

• Both teams struggled in the opening minutes of the game, but the Colonels took an early 8-0 lead through the first three minutes of action.
• A layup from Kayla Williams got Alvernia on the board with 6:34 to play in the first quarter, but the Colonels pushed it back to an eight point lead, 10-2, with a layup on their next possession.
• A free throw from Williams and a Taliyah Malone 3-pointer quickly brought Alvernia back into the game, 12-6, as the quarter hit its midpoint. 
• Alvernia held the Colonels to just three points over the next four minutes as the Golden Wolves worked to close the gap, and a 3-pointer from Ryleigh Poole off the bench brought Alvernia back within two, 15-13, with 1:27 to play in the quarter.
• The Colonels scored the final points of the quarter on a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left to take an 18-13 lead into the second frame.
• A jumper from Morgan Janeski opened the scoring for Alvernia in the second quarter, but it would be the only points Alvernia scored for the next six and a half minutes. However, Wilkes struggled as well and could not take advantage of Alvernia's shooting struggles, taking just a seven point lead, 22-15, with 5:01 to play in the half.
• A Williams jumper ended Alvernia's scoring drought and got Alvernia within five, 22-17, with 3:28 to play in the quarter. But, Alvernia's shooting struggles resumed as the Golden Wolves were held scoreless the rest of the quarter. The Colonels took an 11 point lead, 28-17, into the half.
• Both teams took nearly three minutes to record a point in the second half, and the Colonels struck first with a 3-pointer to 14 point lead, 31-17.
• A layup from Kylie Bradford marked Alvernia's first points of the second half and sparked a 10-2 run for the Golden Wolves that brought Alvernia within six, 33-27, with five minutes to play in the third quarter. Bradford had five of Alvernia's ten points during the run, with Jordan Karmonick adding three and Malone adding two.
• After a trading of free throws over the next four minutes, Alvernia closed the gap down to two, 38-36, on a Williams layup and a 3-pointer from Malone to close out the third frame.
• Alvernia kept it rolling to open up the fourth quarter as the Golden Wolves tied it up at 38-38 on a pair of made free throws by Williams. Alvernia then took the lead for the first time on a fastbreak layup by Karmonick on Alvernia's next possession.
• Neither team could gain ground as the lead changed or tied six times over the next five minutes, with Karmonick matching what the Colonels put up. 
• A quick seven points combined with two Alvernia turnovers gave Wilkes a five point advantage, 49-44, with 3:29 to play. But, a pair of 3-pointers from Karmonick and Malone brought Alvernia within in one, 51-50, with two minutes to play
• Tamia Wessels then forced back-to-back Wilkes turnovers, and Alvernia retook the lead, 52-51, with one minute to play on a Karmonick layup.
• Karmonick then made five free throws in the final minute to seal the 57-53 win for the Golden Wolves.

Inside the Box Score

• Karmonick led all scorers with 22 points, 16 of which game in the fourth quarter. Karmonick was 6-for-12 with two 3-points and also went 8-for-10 from the line for her season-high 22 points.
• Williams finished with a 14 point, 12 rebound double-double. It is her fourth double-double this year.
• Alvernia closed a 12 rebound deficit at the half to finish even with the Colonels at 48 rebounds each, with Alvernia out-rebounding the Colonels 28-16 in the second half.
• Alvernia made 17 free throws as a team to mark its most made free throws in a game since it made 23 against Ramapo in the ECAC semifinal last season.

Of Note

• With the win, Alvernia improves to 5-1 all-time against Wilkes. Alvernia has now won three straight against the Colonels, with all three wins coming by five points or less.
• Alvernia's 8-3 record is its best record through 11 games since an 8-3 start in the 2003-04 season. Alvernia has only gotten off to a better start through 11 games on three occasions: an 11-0 record in 1990-91, and a 9-2 record in 1996-97 and 1999-2000.
• Karmonick's 22 points marks her seventh time surpassing 20 points in a game. Her 16 points in the fourth quarter helped bring her to just two points shy of her career-high mark of 24, which game on February 5, 2022 vs. Albright.

Up Next

• Alvernia heads into conference play on Wednesday at York College. The Spartans bring a 5-4 record into Wednesday's matchup. Alvernia swept the Spartans in the regular season last year.