Reading, Pa. (Jan. 6, 2024) - Alvernia University took the lead late in the first quarter and never looked back as the Golden Wolves downed Albright College 80-62 on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action at Alvernia.

With the win, Alvernia improved to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Lions dropped to 3-10 overall and 0-2 in MAC Commonwealth play.

How it Happened

• The Lions and Golden Wolves traded points through the first three minutes of the first quarter, with Alvernia holding the slight 9-8 advantage. All nine of Alvernia's first nine points came off of three made 3-pointers by Jordan Karmonick.
• The Lions retook the lead, 12-9, as the quarter approached its midpoint. But, Alvernia got back within one, 12-11, on a layup in transition by Tamia Wessels. 
• After over two minutes of scoreless action, a layup from Kayla Williams and a 3-pointer from Wessels marked the final points of the quarter as Alvernia took a 16-12 lead into the second quarter. The Golden Wolves held Albright scoreless for over five minutes to close out the quarter.
• A 3-pointer from Albright's Gigi Serrano marked the first points of the quarter and put an end to Albright's scoring drought as the Lions brought it within one, 16-15.
• Alvernia responded with a 3-pointer of its own off the hands of Taliyah Malone. Malone's 3-pointer sparked a 13-1 run that lasted nearly four minutes and gave Alvernia the 26-19 advantage with 4:18 to play in the half. Alvernia went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc during the run, with Ryleigh Poole accounting for five of Alvernia's 13 points.
• The Lions rattled off two jumpers to get back within nine, 29-20, but another 3-pointer from Alvernia - this time from Wessels - brought Alvernia back into a double-digit lead, 32-20 with 2:52 to play in the half.
• Alvernia was poised to take a 12 point lead into the half after trading baskets with the Lions, but a buzzer-beating jumper from Wessels gave Alvernia two more points to take a 39-25 lead into the half.
• Alvernia shot 60% from 3-point range in the first half and 45.5% overall. The Golden Wolves held the Lions to 34% shooting in the first half and just 14% from beyond the 3-point arc.
• Alvernia kept things rolling to open the second half with Williams knocking down a 3-pointer to make it a 17 point game, 42-25.
• The Golden Wolves kept the Lions from threatening in the early minutes of the second half as Alvernia built on its lead. The Golden Wolves made it a 20-point game, 51-31, with 5:43 to play in the third quarter on an impressive hustle play from Karmonick that resulted in her tipping in her own shot while being fouled on the play to make it a 3-point opportunity. 
• With a minute to go in the third quarter, Alvernia made it a 25 point game, 65-40, following a Wessels 3-pointer and a pair of made free throws by Madison Miskar. 
• The Lions hit a buzzer beater to end the third quarter, but Alvernia took the commanding 65-43 lead into the final ten minutes.
• The Lions held Alvernia scoreless through the first 3:18 of the quarter, but Albright could not gain much ground. The Golden Wolves got on the board in the quarter with a Kylie Bradford hook shot to make it a 67-47 game.
• The Lions never got closer than 15 in the quarter, and Alvernia ultimately built its lead as high as 26, 78-52, with 2:49 to play on a pair of free throws by Malone. 
• The Lions scored 10 of the final 12 points of the contest, but Alvernia came away with the commanding 80-62 win.

Inside the Box Score

• After starting a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, Karmonick finished with a 20 point, 10 rebound double-double. She also had five assists and a steal. She was 5-for-8 from 3-point territory and 7-for-10 overall.
• Wessels led all scorers with 22 points and came up just short of a double-double with nie boards. She was a perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point territory. 
• Malone finished with ten points and Williams finished with nine points, six rebounds, and a team-high four blocks.
• Alvernia shot 47.6% on the night and 56.5% from 3-point range. The Golden Wolves finished with 20 assists and 37 rebounds.

Of Note

• Alvernia finished with 13 made 3-pointers, its most in a game since posting 13 against Hood in February of 2022.
• Today's win marks Alvernia's second straight over the Lions. It's the first time since the 2011-12 season that Alvernia has won two straight over its crosstown rival.

Up Next

• Alvernia hosts Messiah - the defending MAC Commonwealth Champions - on Wednesday evening. 
• Wednesday night will be a rematch of the 2023 MAC Commonwealth Championship.
• Messiah is coming off a 59-47 win against Hood. The Falcons are 9-3 overall this season and 2-0 in MAC Commonwealth play.