Reading, Pa. (Feb. 18, 2024) - Alvernia University (15-10, 7-7) held Stevenson University (6-19, 2-12) to single digits in the second and third quarters as the Golden Wolves cruised to a 69-54 win over the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action at Alvernia.

The game was a must-win for the Golden Wolves and Alvernia got the job down. The Golden Wolves led by as much as 35 in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs made a late push, but Alvernia was able to come away with the 69-54 win.

With the win, Alvernia secured the #4 seed in the MAC Commonwealth playoff.

How it Happened

• Alvernia jumped out to an early 14-5 lead following three straight 3-pointers from three different players - Taliyah Malone, Tamia Wessels, and Kayla Williams -, a Meghan Ruth layup, and another three from Jordan Karmonick.
• Alvernia kept it rolling and built its lead up to 12, 20-8, with another pair of back-to-back threes from Malone and Wessels as the quarter hit its midpoint. 
• Alvernia's shooting quickly went cold as the Golden Wolves were held scoreless for the remainder of the quarter.  Stevenson took advantage and cut Alvernia's lead down to five, 20-15, heading into the second quarter.
• Alvernia got back on track with a Ruth jumper and Malone 3-pointer to open the second quarter and give Alvernia a ten point lead, 25-15.
• After scoring slowed for a few minutes, a 3-pointer from Karmonick with 4:55 to play in the half sparked a 14-2 run for the Golden Wolves to close out the quarter and give Alvernia a 20 point lead, 41-21, at the half. Karmonick had nine points during the run.
• Alvernia had ten 3-pointers during the first half and scored 15 points off of 13 Mustang turnovers. 
• Scoring was slow to pick up in the opening minutes of the second half. Alvernia pushed its lead to 28, 49-41, through nearly five and a half minutes of action as the Golden Wolves held Stevenson scoreless until the Mustangs hit a pair of free throws at the 4:30 mark.
• The Golden Wolves kept it rolling while holding the Mustangs without a field goal. A  Karmonick 3-pointer and a pair of made free throws by Maidson Miskar gave Alvernia a 31-point lead, 54-23, with 3:40 to play in the third quarter. 
• The Mustangs first field goal of the half came with just over three minutes to play in the quarter on a putback layup, but the Mustangs didn't threaten the rest of the quarter as Alvernia took a 30 point lead, 60-30, into the final frame following a Miskar layup to close out the quarter.
• Alvernia pushed its lead to 35, 67-32, with 8:25 to play following a quick 7-0 run in under a minute. Karmonick hit a three during the run and Wessels and Morgan Janeski each scored a layup. 
• The Mustangs went on to outscore Alvernia 24-9 in the fourth quarter, but Stevenson never got within 15 as Alvernia came away with the 69-54 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Jordan Karmonick led Alvernia with 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting. She had five made 3-pointers on seven attempts. 
• Tamia Wessels a team-high nine rebounds, team-high 10 assists, and team-high five steals. 
• Taliyah Malone and Kayla Williams each finished with 12 points.

Of Note

• The Golden Wolves finished the afternoon with 14 made 3-pointers, marking a season-high for Alvernia. It's the sixth time this season Alvernia had at least ten made 3-pointers in a game.
• Alvernia finished with 21 assists, nine more than the Mustangs.
• With the win, Alvernia secured the #4 seed in the MAC Commonwealth playoff.

Up Next

• The Golden Wolves will head to #1 Messiah on Wednesday for the MAC Commonwealth semifinal. #3 York will also play #2 Widener on Wednesday in the other MAC Commonwealth semifinal The winners will face each other on Saturday in the MAC Commonwealth championship.