Reading, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2023) - After trailing Lebanon Valley College (12-11, 8-6) midway through the third quarter, and again midway through the fourth, Alvernia University (15-9, 10-5) was able to complete a comeback and take a 58-52 win over Lebanon Valley on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth play at Alvernia. 

The Dutchmen held Alvernia to just eight points in the opening frame, but Alvernia found its rhythm and outscored the Dutchmen each quarter the rest of the way. Alvernia then held Lebanon Valley to nine in the fourth quarter - including just four points in the final six minutes of the game - as Alvernia took the 58-52 win.

Alvernia scored the opening points on a Taliyah Malone layup, but the Dutchmen evened it up at 2-2 on their next possession. Malone's layup would be Alvernia's only points over the next four and a half minutes as Lebanon Valley pushed its lead to seven, 9-2. Alvernia got back within three, 9-6, on a Kayla Williams free throw and a Jordan Karmonick three, but Lebanon Valley continued to push ahead. Alvernia was held to just two points - a Williams layup - in the final five minutes as the Dutchmen took a 17-8 lead into the second quarter.

The Dutchmen scored the first four points of the second quarter to take a 13 point lead, 21-8, over Alvernia.

Alvernia went on a quick 9-2 run over the next four minutes to get back within six, 23-17, with 4:28 to play in the quarter. Wessels scored five points during the one - including a three pointer, and Malone capped off the run with a three of her own.

Another Malone three brought Alvernia within four, 24-20, with 3:08 to play in the opening half. But, three made free throws and a layup by the Dutchmen quickly pushed their lead back to nine, 29-20, with 1:49 to go in the half.

Alvernia scored the final five points of the quarter off of two jumpers by Meghan Ruth and a free throw by Tamia Wessels to trail the Dutchmen by four, 29-25, going into the second half.

The Dutchmen opened the third quarter with a layup, but a free throw by Williams and a jumper by Malone got Alvernia back within three, 31-28, in the early minutes of the third frame.

Two quick field goals by the Dutchmen saw their lead jump back up to seven, 35-28, but Alvernia again responded. Karmonick hit back-to-back threes to bring Alvernia within one, 35-34, and a layup by Wessels gave Alvernia its first lead since the opening minutes of the game, 36-35, with 5:32 to play. 

Alvernia held onto the lead for the next four and a half minutes until the Dutchmen tied it back up at 40-40 with about a minute to play in the quarter. The Dutchmen and Golden Wolves traded free throws over the next few possessions, but a Williams jumper in the final seconds of the quarter gave Alvernia a one point advantage, 44-43, going into the final frame.

The Dutchmen opened the fourth quarter with a jumper to retake the lead, 45-44, just 15 seconds into the fourth. Both teams then went scoreless for the next two and a half minutes. But, a Williams 3-pointer ended the brief scoring drought and gave Alvernia a 47-45 lead with 7:14 to play.

The two teams shared a tie twice more over the next three and a half minutes, but a Ruth jumper tied the game up at 49-49 and a Malone jumper gave Alvernia the 51-49 lead with 3:13 to play.

Alvernia then made it a two possession game, 53-49, with 1:46 on a layup from Cathryn Kramer. After 1:20 without scoring on either side, a Williams layup with 28 seconds to play made it a six point game, 55-49.

The Dutchmen came down the floor and hit a quick three to bring it right back to a three point game, 55-52, with 24 seconds to play. The Dutchmen were forced to start following and went to Karmonick twice. Karmonick hit three of her four opportunities to secure a 58-52 win for Alvernia.

Williams led Alvernia with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Karmonick finished with 15 points and seven boards, and Malone finished with 12 points and five rebounds.

With the win, Alvernia still remains in third place behind Messiah and Albright with one game to go for the Golden Wolves. Alvernia heads to Hood on Saturday to close out its regular season.