Reading, Pa. (Feb. 3, 2024) - Just a month after falling to York on a last-second layup by the Spartans, Alvernia University evened the MAC Commonwealth series in dominant fashion on Saturday afternoon with a 72-54 win in women's basketball action at Alvernia.

Alvernia took the lead for good early in the second quarter and led by as much as 27 points late. York outscored Alvernia in the final five minutes, but the Golden Wolves came away with the 72-54 win.

How it Happened

• Alvernia jumped out to an early 5-0 lead following a 3-pointer and layup from Tamia Wessels in the first two minutes of action. But, York held Alvernia to just two points over the next four and a half minutes while the Spartans took an 8-7 lead.
• Alvernia retook the lead on a pair of made free throws by Jordan Karmonick and made it 12-8 with 1:42 to play on a Morgan Janeski 3-pointer.
• Alvernia and the Spartans traded baskets through the remainder of the quarter and a last second Taliyah Malone layup off a steal gave Alvernia the 16-14 going into the second frame.
• After a trading of early 3-pointers to open the second quarter, Alvernia built its lead up to seven, 24-17, on a three point play by Meghan Ruth and a Malone layup.
• The Spartans worked their way back within five, 28-23, with 4:34 to go in the half, but Alvernia closed out the half on a 7-2 run to take a ten point lead, 35-25, into the half. The run was capped off by another late Malone layup in the final five seconds of the half.
• A Wessels 3-pointer opened the second half scoring and set the tone for the final 20 minutes of action. The Golden Wolves built their lead up to 16, 44-28, on a Karmonick jumper off an offensive board by Malone and made it a 19 point game, 47-28, on a Karmonick steal to a 3-pointer as the quarter hit its midpoint. 
• Alvernia was held scoreless for the next five minutes, but York struggled to score as well as the Spartans failed to make any sort of dent on Alvernia's lead.
• A Karmonick 3-pointer ended Alvernia's scoreless drought to make it a 15 point game, 50-35, with 32 seconds to play. Kayla Williams then hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to add the third quarter and give Alvernia the 18 point lead going into the final frame.
• Alvernia opened the fourth quarter with a Taliyah Malone 3-pointer to make it a 21 point game, 56-35, Alvernia held the Spartans without a field goal for the first 4:40 of the fourth quarter as Alvernia built its lead up to 25, 62-37.
• The Spartans outscored Alvernia 17-10 in the final five minutes of the game, but York never threatened as Alvernia came away with the 72-54 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Jordan Karmonick led Alvernia with a 14 point, 11 rebound double-double. She also had five assists.
• Kayla Williams also had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. She also had six blocks and six assists. 
• Tamia Wessels also reached double-digits with 13 points.

Of Note

• Alvernia has scored 70 or more points in each of its three wins against York in MAC play.
• Three of Alvernia's five MAC Commonwealth wins this season have been by 18 points.
• Alvernia scored a field goal or 3-pointer in the final five seconds of each of the first three quarters.
• Alvernia finished the game with 51 rebounds, its most in a conference game this season.
• With the win, Alvernia moves into a tie for fourth in MAC Commonwealth standings with Albright. But, Alvernia has the series sweep tiebreaker over the Lions.

Up Next

• Alvernia hosts Eastern on Wednesday night at 7:00 PM.
• The Eagles edged out Alvernia 47-46 at Eastern in the first matchup of the series. Eastern is 4-6 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Eagles are coming off a 62-52 win over Stevenson earlier today.