Reading, Pa. (Jan. 7, 2026) - Alvernia University (6-6, 1-0) scored 51 points in the second half to power past Widener University (9-3, 0-1), 69-59, on Wednesday night in the MAC Commonwealth Women's Basketball opener at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court.

The Golden Wolves trailed the Pride 25-18 at the half. Alvernia then opened the third quarter on a 17-8 run through the first five minutes to take the lead. Widener evened the game at 41-41 going into the fourth quarter. Alvernia then held Widener to just two points through the first three and a half minutes of the fourth quarter as the Golden Wolves built their lead up to nine. Alvernia then held off Widener the rest of the way to beat the Pride for the first time since 2022.

How it Happened

• Alvernia jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the first minute of action behind a pair of made free throws by Olivia Burke and a driving layup by Taryn Woodson. But, Alvernia's scoring slowed over the nearly seven minutes as Widener outscored the Golden Wolves 12-2 to take a 12-6 lead with 2:30 to play in the first. A pair of Jennah DeGout layups off the bench got Alvernia back on track and back within one, 12-10, going into the second quarter.
• The Pride led for the entirety of the second quarter. Alvernia got within four, 19-16, on a Woodson layup. But, the Pride outscored Alvernia 6-2 the rest of the quarter to take a 25-18 lead into the break.
• Two quick layups from Woodson and Burke, as well as a Woodson free throw, brought Alvernia within four,  27-23, in the first minute of the third quarter. After a Widener layup, Alvernia got within three on a Burke 3-pointer and within one, 29-28, on a Woodson steal and layup.
• After hanging within a possession, Alvernia evened the game at 33-33 on a Kyla Reed 3-pointer with 5:43 to play in the third. A minute later, Alvernia took the 35-33 lead on a pair of made free throws by DeGout.
• The Golden Wolves pushed their lead to 41-35 on a Samantha Wade 3-pointer with two minutes to play in the third frame, but the Pride scored the final six points of the quarter to tie the game at 41-41 going into the fourth.
• Alvernia opened the quarter with a Burke jumper to break the tie. Woodson then followed with a pair of layups to give Alvernia a six point cushion, 47-41, with nine minutes to play.
• Alvernia pushed its lead to nine, 52-43, on a DeGout jumper with 6:41 to play. Alvernia continued to push the Pride and took a double-digit lead, 58-47, on a Jordyn Ingelido jumper.
• The Pride brought the game back within six, 61-55, on a 3-pointer and jumper with two minutes to play. But, the Golden Wolves were clutch from the line in the final two minutes to close out. The Golden Wolves went 8-for-11 in the final two minutes and did not allow a Pride field goal in the final 50 seconds to secure the 69-59 win.  

Inside the Box Score

• Both Taryn Woodson and Olivia Burke finished with 16 points. Burke went 4-for-5 from the floor and 7-for-8 from the line. Woodson went 7-for-12 from the floor and also grabbed 13 rebounds for the double-double.
• Jennah DeGout finished with 15 points off the bench, going 6-for-8. She also finished just shy of the double-double with nine rebounds.
• Meghan Ruth finished with ten rebounds, and also finished with seven points and three assists.

Up Next

• Alvernia is back in action on Saturday at 3:00 PM hosting Stevenson. The Mustangs opened their MAC Commonwealth schedule with a 59-44 loss to Messiah.