Alvernia women win ECAC Division III basketball title with victory over New Jersey City University
Mar. 5—The Alvernia women's basketball completed a breakthrough season with a 57-48 win over New Jersey City University in the ECAC Division Championships final Sunday at Ramapo College in Ramapo, N.J.
The fifth-seeded Golden Wolves (20-10) held the second-seeded Gothic Knights (17-12) to 28.8% shooting overall and scoreless over the final 2:52 to earn the second ECAC title in school history. Alvernia won its other ECAC title in 1995.
The 20 victories are the most for the Golden Wolves, who also advanced to the MAC Commonwealth final, since they won 24 games in the 2004-05 season.
Tamia Wessels led Alvernia with 14 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Cathryn Kramer had 12 points, Kayla Williams eight points and nine rebounds, and Jennah DeGout 13 rebounds.
Taliyah Malone, who scored 18 points in the Golden Wolves' 69-52, semifinal win over Ramapo, was named the tournament MVP. She had three points and four rebounds Sunday.
After NJCU got within 51-48 with 2:52 left, Wessels hit a jumper with 2:33 left to make it 53-48. Following a Gothic Knights turnover, Kramer hit a jumper to put Alvernia up seven.
NJCU missed on its next possession, Kramer hit another jumper, then the Gothic Knights turned it over before the Golden Wolves ran out the clock.
Damaris Rodriguez led NJCU with 18 points.
