York, Pa. (Jan. 14, 2026) - Alvernia University's (7-7, 2-1) comeback attempt fell just short as York College (4-9, 2-0) defeated the Golden Wolves 62-59 on Wednesday night in MAC Commonwealth women's basketball action at York.

The Golden Wolves led through the first quarter, but the Spartans shut Alvernia down in the second quarter to take the lead. York built its lead up to as much as 12 in the third quarter. The Spartans held Alvernia at bay in the early minutes of the fourth quarter before the Golden Wolves used a 9-3 run over the course of five minutes to tie the game at 51-51 with just under two minutes to play. York built its lead back up to six, but two late 3-pointers by Olivia Burke brought Alvernia within one with nine seconds to play. The Spartans made two clutch free throws to force Alvernia to hit a three pointer on its final possession, but the Golden Wolves did not get a look off from beyond the arc as York held on for the win. 

How it Happened

• A layup from Olivia Burke and jumper from Jordyn Ingelido gave the Golden Wolves the early 4-2 lead through 90 seconds of action. Alvernia then made it a 6-2 game on a putback layup by Burke with 7:15 to play in the opening frame.
• The Golden Wolves continued to hold the Spartans off early, and Alvernia built its lead up to 7-2 on a Jennah DeGout free throw with 5:41 to play in the first quarter. The Golden Wolves then built it to a six-point contest, 12-6, on a Kyla Reed 3-pointer with four minutes to play in the quarter.
• After a trading of points, the Spartans hit a 3-pointer with 1:23 to play to get within three, 14-11. Both sides then went scoreless to close out the first quarter as Alvernia took the three point advantage into the second quarter.
• Alvernia's offense remained scoreless in the opening minutes of the second. The Spartans held Alvernia to just a pair of made free throws by Alani White through the first eight and a half minutes as York took the lead. A Grace Dobrzynski layup ended the field goal drought for the Golden Wolves, but York took a 27-18 lead with 1:15 to play on an answering 3-pointer. Alvernia closed out the quarter with a buzzer-beating layup by Ruth as the Spartans took a 30-21 lead into the half.
• After a trading of points to open the quarter, a 3-pointer by Jordyn Ingelido brought the Golden Wolves back within seven, 33-26,with 6:30 to play in the third. The Spartans then built their lead back up to 12 over the next two minutes and held it there until the final minute of the third. The Golden Wolves closed out the third frame with a White layup and Dobrzynski 3-pointer to get within six, 44-38, with 30 seconds to play in the third. But, the Spartans closed out the quarter with a jumper to go back up by eight, 46-38, going into the fourth.
• A pair of made free throws by Dobrzynski and a Ruth layup off a York turnover quickly brought Alvernia within four, 46-42, through the first 90 seconds of the fourth. The Spartans responded with a quick four points of their own, but Burke knocked down a 3-pointer and made it a five point contest, 50-45, with six minutes to play. 
• Alvernia kept chipping away and a DeGout layup followed by two made free throws by Burke had the Golden Wolves within two, 51-49, with 3:24 to play. After a scoreless stretch on both sides, two made free throws by Taryn Woodson evened the game at 51-51 with 1:53 to play. 
• The Spartans broke the tie with a jumper coming out of a timeout and made it a four point contest, 55-51, on a layup off an Alvernia turnover with 49 seconds to play. The Spartans extended their lead up to six on a pair of free throws, but Alvernia got back within four, 57-53, on a Woodson layup with 23 seconds to play.
• Another set of made free throws by the Spartans again made it a six point game, 59-53, with 21 seconds to play. Alvernia kept pressuring and Burke knocked down a 3-pointer to get within three, 59-56.
• The Spartans then knocked down one of two free throw attempts to make it a four point contest, but another Burke 3-pointer brought the Golden Wolves back within one, 60-59, with nine seconds on the clock. Alvernia then nearly forced a Spartan turnover along the sideline, but York retained possession and hit two crucial free throws to make it a three point game, 62-59, with five seconds on the clock. Alvernia inbounded, needing a three to tie, but the Golden Wolves could not get a three point shot off as the horn sounded and the Spartans came away with the 62-59 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Olivia Burke led Alvernia with 17 points. She shot 6-for-12 overall and went 3-for-5 from 3-point range.
• Meghan Ruth finished with a team-high 10 rebounds, marking her second double-digit rebound performance of the season.
• Both Jordyn Ingelido and Jennah DeGout finished with seven rebounds, and both Alani White and Taryn Woodson finished with eight points.

Up Next

• Alvernia makes the short trip to the other side of Reading to take on Albright College. Albright defeated Alvernia in the last two meetings of the team, but Alvernia has won four of the last five matchups.
• The Lions join the Spartans as the last two remaining undefeated teams after Albright defeated Messiah earlier tonight, 58-47. Albright's win over Messiah marks Messiah's first loss in MAC Commonwealth play since 2024.