The Albright College women's basketball team led for all but the opening 92 seconds, in a 72-59 win at local rival Alvernia on Saturday.

Sophomore Kelecia Harris made 7-of-12 field goals and finished with 19 points and nine rebounds. Senior Meghan Boyle added 15 points (5-of-7) and five boards.

Junior Jessica Venturelli had 11 points and equaled a team-high with six assists, while Emily O'Donnell (10 points) was also in double-figures.

Albright quickly opened an early double-digit lead. Kristi McFadden (six assists) got the Lions on the board with a runner, and later stole a pass to set up Harris on the break for a 7-2 lead.

Freshman Shannon Thomas converted a nice drive from the right side to make it 13-4 Albright, and Harris added two free throws for a 15-4 advantage.

Boyle got a good roll and converted the extra free throw to make it 22-11, and the Lions led 29-16 after Amanda Tiritilli drained a three from the left side. O'Donnell converted another three-point play after grabbing an offense rebound, stretching the gap to 32-16 with exactly 8:00 left before halftime.

Albright could only manage two points over the next 6:49 however, as Alvernia got back to within six points. Stevie Fortna's lay-in made it 34-26, and then the Alvernia sophomore jumped a passing lane and went the other way for two more points. O'Donnell finally broke the Albright slump with an elbow shot, as the Lions led 38-28 at the break.

Albright opened things back up early in the second half. After an Alvernia steal, Harris ripped the ball right back and put it in for a 42-30 lead. Thomas' three-pointer soon had the Red and White ahead 47-30.

Boyle converted a third chance basket for a 51-32 scoreline after Harris' put-back attempt had missed. Albright took its first 20-point lead as Harris made one of two free throws for a 57-37 score.

Alvernia made an 8-2 run, with Tyra Roberts cutting it to 59-45 with a hoop in the paint, until Venturelli broke the streak with a much-needed basket for the Lions. Kaitlyn Yoh and Taylor Eckley scored quickly to cut Albright's lead to just 10, but again Venturelli answered for a 68-56 advantage.

The Lions improve to 4-2, 2-1 and will host Messiah next Saturday in a tough Commonwealth Conference test.