READING, Pa. - The Albright College women's basketball team (18-8, 12-5 MAC Commonwealth) saw their season come to an end this evening in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) semifinals falling to Alvernia (17-9, 11-5 MAC Commonwealth) by a final score of 68-52.

After no scoring from either side for almost the first two minutes of the game Orianna Edmond and Amina Rauf both made layups to tie the game at four in the early going. Alvernia would stretch their lead to eight with three minutes to go in the opening quarter. A 4-0 Lion run to close the first quarter put the Lions within striking distance only trailing by four after one, 17-13.

Defensively, the Lions were strong in the second period holding Alvernia to nine total points in the frame. Rauf, Lindsey Williamson and C.J. Apistar each knocked down a triple in the quarter. Rauf's three brought the Lions within four, Williamson put Albright down one and Apistar tied up the game at 24-24 with three minutes to go in the second half. Each team would score two more points each going into halftime all knotted up at 26-26.

In the first half, Rauf led the way with 12 points on 5-9 shooting and 2-3 from behind the arc.

Back to back Edmond layups gave Albright their first lead of the game, 30-26 early in the third period. There were six lead changes in the third quarter alone seeing each team not going down without a fight. A Rauf and Dover jumper in the closing seconds of the third period cut the Lions deficit in half. Heading into the final 10 minutes, Alvernia was holding on to a slim four point advantage, 44-40.

A 9-2 run from Alvernia to open the fourth quarter proved to be the difference in the game with Alvernia stretching their lead to 53-42 midway through the final quarter. Albright did not go down without a fight, an Apistar three with 4:40 left to play brought the Lions back within seven. However, the comeback was not meant to be as Alvernia got clutch three point shooting from their backcourt to seal the victory, 68-52.

Rauf finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Dover added eight points and nine rebounds and Edmond finished with eight points and eight rebounds.

Gabby Boggs went for six points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Rounding out the scoring for Albright was Williamson and Apistar each with six points.

Alvernia will now head to Messiah on Saturday (Feb. 25) for the MAC Commonwealth Championship. Messiah beat Widener 66-39 in the second MAC Commonwealth semifinal contest on Wednesday night.