Late Lion Surge Dooms Alvernia Crusaders Fall 62-60 Despite Leading For Most Of The Game

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Reading, Pa. (Dec. 1, 2012) - Albright College (4-2, 2-0) used a 20-2 run to end the game and earn the 62-60 victory over Alvernia University (3-2, 1-1) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference action at the Bollman Center on Albright's campus.  Prior to taking the 62-60 lead with 19 second left in the game, the Lions had not held the lead since it was 20-19 at 6:40 in the first half.

The first half was a slow-starting, back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than three until 10:15 when Alvernia took the four-point lead on a three-pointer fromChelsea Ebersole (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra).  Ebersole added to the lead with two free throws to put Alvernia up 17-11 with 9:56 left in the first half. 

The Lions hung tight, scoring nine of the next 11 points to take the 20-19 lead with 6:40 left.  Kaitlyn Yoh (Wernersville, Pa./Conrad Weiser) made a lay-up to give the lead back to Alvernia, and after a three-pointer from Stevie Fortna (Lebanon, Pa./Lebanon Catholic), Yoh connected on two free throws to put Alvernia up 26-20.  The final five-minutes of the first half saw each team put up eight more to leave Alvernia with the 34-28 leading heading into halftime.

The Lions got two quick points to start the second half, but Yoh answered with a layup to preserve the six-point lead.  A good free throw from Brittany Young (Columbus, NJ/North Burlington) and a layup from Kayla Long (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) gave Alvernia a roomy nine-point lead with just over 16 minutes remaining.  The Lions followed with a bit of a run to bring the game within five, at 44-39, Alvernia.  Ebersole did her best to diminish the Lion's hopes as she drained a three to give Alvernia an eight-point cushion, 47-39.  The Crusaders, sparked by Ebersole's three, followed with a nice run of their own, outscoring the Lions 11-3 between 9:48-6:40, bookended by threes from Ebersole. 

With Alvernia now up 58-42 and just 6:40 remaining in the game, the Lions determination was evident as they managed a 20-2 run to end the game and record the comeback win.  Alvernia wasn't without chances in the final six minutes of play, but they missed 12 of their final 13 shots of the game, including an 0-3 performance from the free throw line.

Ebersole led the way for Alvernia with a game-high 21 points, including six three-pointers and six rebounds, while Long was also impressive with a double-double, 16 points and ten rebounds. 

Alvernia is back in action Wed. Dec. 5th when they host Stevenson University in a Commonwealth Conference game at 8:00pm.

Albright 62, Alvernia 60