Box Score
READING, Pa. – Led by a game-high 24 points from
Jessica McGinness, women's basketball (8-15, 4-9 Commonwealth Conference) gave Coach
Janice Luck her 100th career victory as they blew by Alvernia University (13-11, 6-7) by the score of 69-49 on Tuesday evening at the Physical Education Center.
McGinness entered the content with 1,346 career points. With 9:18 to play in the first half, she passed Rachel Connolly ('00) and moved into third on Albright's all-time scoring list with her eighth and ninth points of the game on a driving layup. She wasn't done there. Her final basket of the half (for her 14th and 15th points) with 1:20 to play gave allowed her to pass Nicole Buist ('91) for second all-time. McGinness finished the contest with 1,370 career points.
The win gave Coach Janie Luck her 100th career victory in her ninth season on the sidelines. The victory was made even sweeter as her team played one of its best games of the season while avenging an early season loss to their crosstown rival.
The Lady Lions and Crusaders battled toe-to-toe throughout much of the first half. However, it was Albright that was able to make a crucial run towards the end of the half. Holding a six-point lead,
Kari Ludy buried a three-pointer with 3:59 left on the clock. McGinness then made back-to-back baskets in the span of 24 seconds to give Albright a 12-point advantage with 1:20 to go. The Red & White would add a Ludy free throw to take a 36-23 lead into the break.
Albright continued to surge ahead as the second half began as
MariLynn McMonagle hit a three and two free throws to increase the lead to 18. With 11:56 to play, McGinness hit another layup to give the Red & White their largest lead of the game at 54-29. Two foul shots from Alvernia's Kerri Weber would cut the lead to as little as 13 with 2:31 left in the contest, but would get no closer as Albright would come away with the impressive conference victory.
Tuesday's victory was a total team effort for the Red & White. Point guard
Rory Yerkes aided in the win with an impressive floor game. She grabbed nine rebounds, dished six assists and collected three steals.
Meghan Boyle shot 7 for 13 from the floor while finishing with 14 points and nine boards. Also finishing in doubles figures were McMonagle and Ludy, who finished with 12 and 10 points.
Alvernia was led by double-doubles from center Angela Altemose and forward Allie Toczylowski. Altemose finished the game with 12 points, 14 rebounds and four steals, while Toczylowski dropped in 12 points to go along with 12 rebounds.
A major reason for the win for the Red & White was their effort on the defensive end. Albright held the home team to 23.8% shooting for the game. Leading the defensive effort were Boyle and
Rose Williamson, who controlled the paint while combining for seven of Albright's eight blocks. Albright also grabbed 15 steals compared to just nine for Alvernia.
Women's basketball will return to action for their final game of the season when they travel to Messiah College for a 2 p.m. start this Saturday.
