CHESTER (Jan. 27, 2016) – Despite having senior Brianna Wylie (Mount Laurel, N.J.) register her ninth double-double of the season, the Widener University women's basketball team fell to nationally-ranked Albright by a 58-49 decision on Wednesday evening at the Schwartz Center.
 
Widener faced a double-digit deficit heading into the fourth quarter and fought back by slashing the deficit down to just two points on a pair of occasions down the stretch. Senior Ally Ferrucci (Vineland, N.J.) set up Allison Gallagher for a 3-pointer on the right arc to make it 49-47 at the 3:29 mark and Wylie for a layup with 2:50 remaining to create a 51-49 score, but the visiting Lions would not allow the Pride to come any closer. Nina Mazzarelli and Kelecia Harris each hit free throws in the waning minutes while the Widener offense was plagued with cold shooting to come away with the nine-point win.
 
The teams played a close first half and exchanged leads twice during the opening quarter. Sophomore Julia Venturelli canned one of her three shots from long range to knot the score at 11s and give the Pride life. Albright, however, ended the quarter on a 7-0 run and scored the first four points of the second frame to jump ahead 24-11 and seize control. Three straight baskets in the last three minutes, including two by Wylie, made it 28-22 at the break.
 
Widener attempted to rally throughout the third quarter and sliced the margin to six on three occasions, as Galllagher, Venturelli and sophomore Brianna Cullen (Lansdale, Pa.) all made big shots to keep the hosts within striking distance. Albright just proved to be too strong in the end and held off every Widener comeback bid through the final whistle.
 
Wylie led the way for Widener by registering 13 points and 16 rebounds, while Ferrucci and Venturelli contributed 11 points apiece. Ferrucci also added four assists and two steals and Venturelli finished with two boards.
 
Harris paced Albright (17-2, MAC Commonwealth 9-1), which is ranked 19th nationally by D3hoops.com, and ended the game with a double-double. She registered 18 points and 15 rebounds along with six blocked shots and three steals. Mazzarelli finished with 10 points, and Alysha Lofton grabbed 11 boards.
 
Widener (12-7, MAC Commonwealth 5-5) returns to action when it visit Lycoming on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 1:00 p.m.