READING, Pa. – Kayla Kelly converted a layup with 2.9 seconds remaining in regulation lifting Stevenson to a 57-55 Commonwealth Conference victory over Albright in an early season showdown on Saturday in the Bollman Center.

Both teams were 2-0 in conference play heading into the contest and tied for first place in the Commonwealth Conference standings.

Sara Tarbert, who finished with 11 points, put Stevenson in front 55-53 on a jumper with 2:43 to play in the game.

Jane Joyce brought Albright to within 55-54 when she converted one of two free throw attempts with 2:11 remaining in regulation.

The two teams combined for six turnovers and two missed free throws during the next 1:40 of the game until Emily O'Donnell made the second of two free throws to tie the game at 55-55 with 31 seconds to play.

Following a Stevenson timeout, Kelly got the ball at the top of the key and drove to her left and scored the game-winning basket.

Kelly finished with eight points and five rebounds, while Stephanie Martinez led the Mustangs with 12 points off the bench.

Albright, which suffered its first home loss of the season, was led by Shannon Thomas who scored 15 points. O'Donnell had nine points and seven rebounds and Joyce and Devan Horka each had eight points for the Lions.

Stevenson improved to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play with the victory, while Albright dropped to 8-4 overall and 2-1 in league play with the loss.

Neither team shot the ball well as Albright shot 39.6 percent from the floor, and Stevenson finished shooting 36.5 percent from the field.

Stevenson raced out to a 7-0 lead to start the game and held a 19-8 lead with 10:42 to play in the opening period.

The Lions used a 7-1 run, sparked by a three-pointer from Thomas, to climb to within 20-15 with 7:28 to play in the first half.

Following a layup by Martinez, Thomas scored seven points during a 9-0 Albright run that gave the Lions their first lead of the game at 24-22 with 4:04 remaining in the first half.

Stevenson fought back to take a 33-31 lead into the intermission.

The second half was tightly contested as neither team led by more than four points.

Albright took a 46-43 lead on a jumper by Joyce with 11:13 to play, but Stevenson scored four straight to regain the lead at 47-46 with 7:54 to play.

The Mustangs held a 51-48 lead, but Jessica Venturelli tied the game at 51-51 with a three-point play with 3:57 to play in the game.

Martinez and Horka exchanged two free throws before Tarbert put the Mustangs ahead with her jumper with 2:43 to play in the contest.

Albright will return to action on Wednesday (Jan. 7) when it visits Lycoming at 6 p.m. in a Commonwealth Conference game.