Women's Basketball Soars Past Alvernia, 85-51

(box score)

All five starters scored in double digits as Widener dismantled Alvernia, 85-51, on Senior Day in a Commonwealth Conference game at Schwartz Center.

Earlier this season Widener (13-10, 8-8 CC) fell to the Crusaders 91-71. However, from the opening whistle it was obvious that the outcome would be different the second time around.

Five minutes into the first half, junior Courtney Colella (Cinnaminson, NJ) had already scored eight points to lead the Pride to a 16-6 lead. Colella went 5-of-7 on the day for 12 points and eight rebounds, along with leading the squad with five assists, one block and one steal.

Fellow junior Kristina Reiter (Sewell, NJ) went on a tear later in the half to score six straight points for the Pride. Reiter finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists on the day.

Going into halftime Widener led 37-26 by shooting 40 percent from the floo and bringing down 25 rebounds to Alvernia's 13.

One minute into the second half, senior Jen Egee (Ridley Park, PA) had already scored a layup and sunk a 3-pointer to increase the lead to 16 points. Egee, in her final regular season game at Schwartz Center, scored 16 points and brought down seven rebounds. Egee continues to lead the conference and rank nationally with 21.2 points per game.

Egee moved into fourth place in Middle Atlantic Conference history with 225 career 3-pointers.

Things only got better for the Pride as senior Joanna Persiano (Ventnor, NJ) and sophomore Brianna Wylie (Mount Laurel, NJ) led the team on a 29-5 run to take control. Persiano scored 14 points in the run to finish the day with 21 on 10-of-16 shooting. Wylie went scoreless in the first half only to score 12 points and bring down seven rebounds in the second.

With a 36-point lead late in the game, Widener's younger players finished off the victory led by sophomore Sarah Engman (Bryn Mawr, PA) with eight points and six rebounds.

Alvernia (8-15, 4-12) was led by Kaitlyn Yoh with 15 points and five assists, along with Mya Lobb going 4-of-6 for 12 points and two rebounds. Off the bench, Taylor Eckley added five rebounds and two points.

Widener remains tied for fifth place in the conference, but this time only with Lycoming.

Widener returns to action on Tuesday at 6:00 pm against conference rival Messiah. The men will follow at 8:00 pm.

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