Reading, Pa.  (Feb. 17, 2026) - Alvernia University (13-11, 8-5) hit a go-ahead free throw with 15 seconds to play to defeat Eastern University (7-17, 2-11), 50-47, on Tuesday night in MAC Commonwealth Women's Basketball action at Alvernia.

The Eagles took a lead five minutes into the contest and held it for the next 34 minutes of action, taking as much as a 14 point lead. Alvernia trailed by 12 points, 40-28, going into the final ten minutes.

Alvernia opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from Samantha Wade before the Eagles pushed their lead back up to 12. A Taryn Woodson putback layup against her former team made it a ten point contest, 43-33, with eight minutes to play and sparked a 12-2 run for the Golden Wolves over the next 5:40 to bring Alvernia within two, 45-43, with 2:19 to play. Meghan Ruth led Alvernia with six points during the run, and Woodson had four points.

The Eagles got some breathing room on a pull-up jumper with 1:49 to play to go back up by four, 47-43. Woodson kept it rolling for Alvernia and a layup off the assist of Ryleigh Poole got Alvernia back within two, 47-45, with 1:39 to play. After over a minute of scoreless action on both sides, a Woodson layup with 15 seconds to play evened the game at 47-47. Woodson was fouled on the shot, sending her to the line with an opportunity to give Alvernia their first of the game. Woodson sank her shot, giving Alvernia the 48-47 lead with 15 seconds on the clock.

Eastern missed a 3-point attempt on its next possession and Jordyn Ingelido came down with a contested rebound and quickly called a timeout. Eastern then followed Alvernia's Jennah DeGout on an inbounds, sending DeGout to the line to make it a three point game. DeGout made both attempts, giving Alvernia the 50-47 lead with 2.9 seconds to play. Eastern advanced the ball and got it in, but attempted a two point shot when needing three. The attempt missed as the buzzer sounded, securing the 50-47 win for Alvernia.

Taryn Woodson led Alvernia with 15 points. She also had four rebounds and a block. Meghan Ruth finished with ten points, seven rebounds, and a team-high three steals. Jennah DeGout had a team-high 11 rebounds and eight points.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday hosting Messiah for senior day.