Reading, Pa. (Jan. 17, 2026) - Albright College (8-7, 4-0) scored a go-ahead basket with just under four seconds to play to complete a comeback and defeat Alvernia University (7-8, 2-2) 53-52 on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth Women's Basketball action at Albright. 

After trailing early, the Golden Wolves shut down the Lions for nearly ten minutes of gameplay as Alvernia took a 16 point lead, 22-6, early in the second quarter. The Lions got back on track and got within seven, 24-17, going into the break. Alvernia came out of the half firing and built its lead up to 16 once again, 42-26, with a minute to go in the third quarter. Albright then chipped away at Alvernia's lead and outscored the Golden Wolves 15-8 through the first eight minutes of the fourth. The Golden Wolves held off the Lions until Albright's Kennedy Cooper hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with just under four seconds to play. Alvernia inbounded the ball and got it down the court, but its layup attempt went off the rim as Albright completed the comeback for the 53-52 win.

How it Happened

• Albright led 6-4 through the first five minutes of action, with Alvernia's first four points coming off jumpers by Olivia Burke. The Golden Wolves then tied the game at 6-6 on a Ryleigh Poole jumper with just under five minutes to play in the opening frame.
• The Golden Wolves shut down the Lions and took a 9-6 lead on a Poole 3-pointer. Alvernia kept it rolling and took a 16-6 lead on a layup by Burke, a trio of made free throws, and a layup by Alani White to close out the corner as Alvernia held the Lions scoreless for nearly seven minutes to close out the quarter.
• Albright's scoring struggles continued into the second quarter. Three straight layups by Alvernia - including two by Meghan Ruth - gave Alvernia the 22-6 lead with 6:19 to play in the half.
• The two teams then reversed roles. As Albright's scoring resumed on a pair of made free throws followed by a layup, Alvernia's scoring slowed. The Lions held Alvernia to two points the rest of the half as Albright closed within seven, 24-17, going into the break.
• The Golden Wolves came out of the halftime reset firing. After Albright scored the opening points of the half, Alvernia went on an 11-4 run over the next three minutes to take a 35-23 lead with 6:12 to play in the quarter. Meghan Ruth led Alvernia during the run, scoring eight of Alvernia's 11 points.
• Alvernia kept its foot on the gas and took a 16 point lead, 42-26, with a minute to go in the quarter off of field goals from Jennah DeGout and Samantha Wade. The Lions scored the final points of the quarter to make it a 42-31 game going into the fourth quarter.
• The Lions closed within five, 44-39, with a quick 8-2 run to open the quarter. Alvernia bounced back with a quick four points off of baskets by Burke and Ruth to give Alvernia back the nine point lead, 48-39, with five minutes to go.
• Albright again responded, holding Alvernia to three points over the next three and a half minutes to get within two, 51-49, with under a minute to play. Alvernia converted a free throw to push it to a three point game, but the Lions got back within two, 52-50, on a made free throw of their own.
• The Lions then inbounded the ball off a timeout and held it for a late shot. The Lions fired off a three that went through the hoop with just under four seconds to play to give the Lions their first lead, 53-52, since early in the first quarter. Alvernia inbounded the ball and drove down the court. The Golden Wolves were able to get a shot off, but it went off the rim as Albright completed the comeback. 

Inside the Box Score

• Meghan Ruth led Alvernia with an 18 point, seven rebound performance. 
• Olivia Burke finished with 15 points, and Ryleigh Poole finished with seven.

Up Next

• Alvernia hosts Hood on Wednesday night at 6:00 PM.