Mid-Game Run Leads Etown Past Alvernia

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Reading, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2012) - Elizabethtown College (15-7, 8-4) ran off a decisive 38-8 run from the of the first half to the middle of the second half and an Alvernia University (11-12, 4-8) came up short in the end with Etown taking a 76-69 win in Commonwealth Conference women's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.

With this loss, the Crusaders are eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since the 1989-1990 season. Coach Kevin Calabria--who has been at the helm for each of the 21 years--sees his conference playoff streak come to a close, but could still qualify for the ECAC Tournament if the Crusaders can close the season with a pair of wins.

Etown junior Nadine Yunginger led the way for the Blue Jays as she more than doubled her previous career high with 31 points.

With 3:14 remaining in the first half half, freshman guard Kate Yoh (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) went coast to coast and laid the ball in for two points to give the Crusaders a 14-point lead, 30-16, their largest of the day. The Blue Jays offense surged late in the second half to pull within six at the break, 30-24.

The Blue Jays continued the push into the second half scoring 30 of the first 38 points over the opening nine minutes to take a commanding 54-38 lead.

Yunginger hit a 3 three minutes into the second half to take the lead and the Jays never looked back. Shortly after taking the lead, E-town hit back to back to back 3-pointers to take a commanding 14 point lead.

With nine minutes remaining in the game, Calabria's team applied full court press but the effort was thwarted as Elizabethtown continued to control the pace of the game.

Crusaders forward Angela Altemose (Pottsville, Pa./Nativity BVM) posted a double-double as she scored 26 and brought down 11 rebounds.  Yoh finished with 15 pionts tying her career high.

Alvernia made a late effort and pulled within six on a pair of free throws from Yoh with 1:40 left, but the Blue Jays hit all their free throws to maintain the lead and secure the victory.

The Crusaders are back in action Tuesday night when they take on Messiah College at home.

Elizabethtown 76, Alvernia 69