Owings Mills, Md. (Jan. 20, 2024) - Alvernia University jumped out to a 32-14 lead at the half and cruised to a 68-40 win over Stevenson University on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action at Stevenson.

With the win, Alvernia improved to 10-7 overall and 2-4 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Mustangs dropped 4-13 overall and 0-6 in conference action.

How it Happened

• The Mustangs scored the opening points of the game, but Alvernia responded with a Tamia Wessels 3-pointer on its first possession of the contest.

• Both teams struggled to string together points early, but Alvernia held an 8-3 lead with 5:48 to go in the first quarter a Meghan Ruth layup and Kayla Williams three.

• Alvernia held Stevenson to just four points the remainder of the first quarter - including a buzzer-beater to end the quarter, as Alvernia took a 14-7 lead into the second frame.

• Alvernia held Alvernia scoreless through the first three minutes of the second quarter while Alvernia opened the frame on a 7-0 run. Taliyah Malone had five of Alvernia's seven points during the run as the Golden Wolves held a 21-7 lead.

• Stevenson cut Alvernia's lead down to nine as the quarter approached its midpoint, but a Malone layup off a Williams steal put Alvernia back at a double-digit advantage, 25-14, with 4:11 to play in the first half.

• Malone's layup marked the start of a 9-0 run that Alvernia closed out the first half with as the Golden Wolves took a 32-14 lead into the break. Morgan Janeski scored five during the run for Alvernia while Malone and Wessels each had two. 

• A quick 11-2 run by the Golden Wolves opened the third quarter and pushed Alvernia's lead to 27, 43-16, with 6:45 to play in the third quarter. Ruth scored four of Alvernia's 11 during the run. Jordan Karmonick added three, and Williams and Malone added two.

• Alvernia maintained a 27 point lead, 46-19, with Karmonick hitting another three as the quarter hit its midpoint.

• The Mustangs closed out the quarter on an 8-2 run, but Alvernia still had a sizable lead, 50-29, heading into the fourth.

• Alvernia again opened the quarter on another run - this time a 9-0 run - as Alvernia continued to run past the Mustangs and take a 30 point lead, 59-29, with 6:41 to play. Wessels scored four during the run, Ryleigh Poole had three, and Kylie Bradford added two.

• A Bradford layup later in the quarter made it a 31 point game, 62-31, with 5:40 to play.

• The Golden Wolves cruised the finish the rest of the way. A 3-pointer from Madison Miskar gave Alvernia its largest lead of the afternoon, 65-33, with 4:13 to play. The Mustangs never threatened as Alvernia came away with the 68-40 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Wessels led Alvernia with 11 points and Ruth finished with 10. Wessels also had a team-high six assists.

• Williams finished with nine points, a team-high six assists, team-high six steals, and team-high four blocks.

Of Note

• Alvernia had 19 steals on the afternoon to match its season-high. Williams' six steals also matched an individual season-high for the Golden Wolves. 

• Alvernia held all Stevenson scorers to seven points or less.

• The Golden Wolves have now won three straight against the Mustangs.

Up Next

• Alvernia hosts Hood on Wednesday to close out the first round of MAC Commonwealth play. Alvernia has won its last five meetings against the Blazers. Hood is 3-13 overall and 2-4 in MAC Commonwealth play. They are coming off a loss to York on Saturday.