Ramapo, NJ (March 5, 2023) - #5 Alvernia University (20-10) edged out #2 New Jersey City University (17-12), 57-48, to claim the 2023 ECAC Women's Basketball title on Sunday afternoon at Ramapo College. 

The win marks Alvernia's second overall ECAC title and first since Alvernia won the ECAC South Championship in 1994-95.

The Golden Wolves got off to a slow start, trailing the Gothic Knights 10-8 after the first quarter. Alvernia held a two point advantage, 22-20, going into the half and led by just four going into the final ten minutes. The Gothic Knights twice got within one in the early minutes of the fourth quarter and by just three points with 2:52 to play. But, Alvernia held the Gothic Knights scoreless the rest of the game while tacking on six points as Alvernia came away with the 57-48 win.

Both teams struggled to get on the board in a low-scoring first quarter, and the Gothic Knights were the first to break through with a jumper with 6:15 to play in the quarter. Alvernia evened it up at 2-2 on its next possession with a Tamia Wessels jumper. Just over three minutes later, Cathryn Kramer evened the game up at 6-6 off a Kayla Williams assist. The Gothic Knights scored the next two baskets, but Alvernia got within two, 10-8, heading into the second frame on another Kramer jumper.

Both teams again struggled to find a rhythm in the opening minutes of the second quarter as the Gothic Knights held a five point lead, 14-9, after 90 seconds of second quarter action. Alvernia worked its way back and a 3-pointer from Wessels evened the game at 16-16 with 6:28 to play in the half.

The Golden Wolves and Gothic Knights traded the lead the rest of the quarter until a Nicole Etchison jumper gave Alvernia the 22-20 lead going into the half.

Alvernia extended its lead to four, 24-20, coming out of the half on a Kramer jumper. Alvernia held a one possession lead for the next four minutes until NJCU tied it up at 28-28 with 5:19 remaining in the third.

A 3-pointer from Malone on Alvernia's next possession gave the lead back to the Golden Wolves. Alvernia pushed it to a seven point advantage, 39-32 , three minutes later on a Jenna DeGout jumper, but the Gothic Knights got back within three as the quarter came to a close on a 3-pointer from Jada Camacho.

NJCU held Alvernia scoreless for two and a half minutes as the Gothic Knights worked their way within one, 39-38. DeGout then knocked down a three to get Alvernia back up by four, 42-38, but NJCU got right back within one on its next possession with a 3-pointer of its own.

The Golden Wolves then scored five straight to retake a six point lead, 47-41, with 5:20 to play. Karmonick and Wessels each hit a jumper, and Wessels also added a free throw for Alvernia's quick five points.

Back-to-back jumpers by the Gothic Knights got NJCU back within two, 47-45, with 4:38 to play. NJCU stayed within one possession for the next 90 seconds and trailed by just three, 51-48, with 2:52 to play. But, Alvernia would hold the Gothic Knights scoreless the rest of the way.

Alvernia made it a five point game, 53-48, with 2:33 to play, and back-to-back jumpers from Kramer in the final 90 seconds secured the 57-48 win for the Golden Wolves.

Wessels finished with 14 points to lead Alvernia, and added four rebounds and four assists. Malone, coming off an 18-point performance against Ramapo yesterday, scored three points and had four rebounds to earn tournament MVP honors. Wessels scored 17 points yesterday and earned All-Tournament Team honors for her performance this weekend. Kramer finished with 12 points, and DeGout had 13 boards and nine points.

The win marks an end to Alvernia's historic season. Along with the ECAC title, Alvernia was also the MAC Commonwealth runner-up. The Golden Wolves finished 20-10 overall, and there 20 wins is the most in a season since Alvernia won 24 games in 2004-05.