READING, Pa. (Jan. 6, 2016) – A double-double performance by senior Brianna Wylie (Mount Laurel, N.J.) was not enough as the Widener University women's basketball team fell to nationally-ranked Albright by an 86-70 decision on Wednesday evening at the Bollman Center.
 
After a slow start, Widener used the long ball to play the Lions competitively in the first quarter. Sophomore Allison Gallagher (Souderton, Pa.), who lit up for 10 points in the opening frame, put the Pride ahead for the first time when she banked home a 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 11-10. The Lions recovered and went ahead by five when Jane Joyce stole the ball and drove in for a layup, but the visitors answered and got a trey from senior Ally Ferrucci (Vineland, N.J.) in the waning seconds to close out the frame trailing by only two.
 
Albright (12-1, MAC Commonwealth 4-0), which is ranked 14th nationally by the WBCA and 15th by D3hoops.com, started the second quarter off strong by scoring five consecutive points to move ahead by a 25-18 score. The Pride, however, once again chipped away at the deficit and made it a one-possession game on four occasions. Wylie converted a layup at the 5:49 mark and another at 1:31 to make it 36-33. A Julia Venturelli (Bridgewater, N.J.) basket then made it 38-35 in favor of the Lions at recess.
 
In the second half, Albright stayed ahead and jumped out to a double-digit lead when Shannon Thomas canned one of her three shots from downtown to make it 52-42 with 4:21 left. The junior guard scored eight consecutive points for the Lions, including 10 in the frame, as the hosts maintained their 10-point cushion heading into the fourth. Albright then built its lead up to as many as 23 before eventually coming away with the 16-point win.
 
Wylie registered her seventh double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 boards to lead the way for Widener. Gallagher finished with 17 points, while Ferrucci finished with 12 points and seven helpers and Venturelli netted 10.
 
Albright, which is the only undefeated team remaining in league action, was paced by Kelecia Harris and Thomas. Harris had a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds to go along with four blocks, and Thomas finished with 21 points, five boards and three helpers. Devan Horka contributed 13 points off the bench.
 
Widener (9-4, MAC Commonwealth 2-2) returns home to face Alvernia on Saturday, Jan. 9 at 1:00 p.m.