LEBANON, Pa. (November 6) – On Friday evening, the Alvernia University women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought season opener to Lebanon Valley College, 60-54. The Golden Wolves battled for all four quarters, but a big third quarter from LVC and late free throws allowed the Lady Dutchmen to hold on for the win despite the late attempt from the Golden Wolves.
How It Happened:
The Lady Dutchmen got off to a fast start, scoring the first six points of the game. First-year Leah Ault finally got the Golden Wolves on the board with a three-pointer to cut into the LVC lead. On the next possession, Ault hit a pull-up jumper to make it 6-5. Following a quick 5-0 run by the Lady Dutchmen, the Golden Wolves scored the next six points on baskets from Grace Dobrzynski and Ault to tie the game at 11-11. LVC sank a deep three as time expired, giving them a 14-11 advantage after one quarter of play.
LVC ran a good set coming out of the break and added two more points to its lead. However, Alvernia's Dobrzynski knocked down a shot from beyond the arc to make it 16-14. One possession later, Samantha Wade got on the board with a three of her own to give the Golden Wolves their first lead of the game at 17-16. Following a three-minute scoring drought by both teams, the Lady Dutchmen regained the lead with a layup. After an Alvernia missed shot, LVC added three more points to extend its lead to 21-17. Following an Alvernia timeout, baskets from Wade and Dobrzynski tied the game at 21-21. However, a foul on Wade during an inbound play sent LVC to the line, where they knocked down one of two free throws to take a 22-21 advantage. In transition following the missed free throw, Wade split the defense to give the Golden Wolves a 23-22 lead. However, a deep step-back jumper from LVC gave the Lady Dutchmen a one-point advantage heading into halftime.
Coming out of the intermission, Olivia Burke worked her way to the line and hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 23-23. However, an 8-0 run by the Lady Dutchmen quickly put the Golden Wolves in a hole. Burke ended the run with a tough layup and converted the ensuing free throw. Ault added to her total with a pull-up jumper to cut the deficit to three. LVC extended its lead to 37-29 at the four-minute mark, but two more free throws from Burke kept the Golden Wolves within reach. The Lady Dutchmen continued to find their offensive rhythm, outscoring the Golden Wolves 8-5 over the final three minutes to take a 45-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
LVC opened the fourth quarter with a deep three, extending its lead to double digits. However, two possessions later, Paige Garner knocked down a three of her own for her first points of the season. A Burke layup cut the LVC lead to 48-41. Coming out of a timeout, LVC answered with a layup, but Garner responded with another three to make it a 50-44 game. After a series of free throws, the Lady Dutchmen extended their lead to 54-46 with just under three minutes to play. Despite a late three from Wade and five points from Burke, time was not on the Golden Wolves' side, as LVC continued to knock down its free throws to keep the game out of reach and secure the 60-54 win.
Inside the Box Score
Up Next
The Golden Wolves will take on Ursinus College on Wednesday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m.
