WILKES-BARRE – Visiting Alvernia University erased an 11-point halftime deficit on way to a 57-53 non-conference victory over the Wilkes University women's basketball team Saturday afternoon at the Marts Center.
 
Wilkes dropped to 5-6 overall, playing in its first contest since the Christmas break. Alvernia improved to 8-3 on the season.
 
Wilkes opened the game on an 8-0 run and led 18-13 after one quarter of play. Yamirelis Matos (Springfield, MA/Chicopee) scored back-to-back layups and Erin Shober (Reading, PA/Wilson) flexed her muscle inside with a bucket on the scoring tear.  
 
The second quarter remained much of the same as the Colonels continued to hit on all cylinders offensively with scores from Emma Stout (Bangor, PA/Bangor) and Brenna Babcock (Sweet Valley, PA/Northwest Area) to push the lead to 24-17 with 2:59 left in the first half. Another bucket inside from Shober and a layup by Taylor Simpson (Dunmore, PA/Lawrenceville School) with :23 left finished off the scoring giving Wilkes a 28-17 advantage at the break.
 
Alvernia made some adjustments to start the third quarter including a zone defense and press and it paid off as the Gold Wolves turned up the defensive pressure and outscored Wilkes 19-10 over the frame. Alvernia closed the quarter with a layup inside and a three-pointer to cut the lead to 38-36.
 
Two free throws to start the fourth quarter tied the game for the first time since early in the first and an ensuing score on Alvernia's next possession gave the Golden Wolves their first lead of the contest with 9:18 on the clock. Wilkes battled back with a three-pointer from Matos and back-to-back scores from Shober to take a 49-44 lead with 3:29 remaining.
 
A 10-0 run over the final three minutes sealed the non-league win for Alvernia as Jordan Karmonick notched six of her game-high 22 points over the stretch.
 
Babcock led three players in double figures for Wilkes scoring a team-high 17 points and six rebounds. Matos followed with 15 points while Shober recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Kayla Williams joined Karmonick in double figures for Alvernia finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Wilkes returns to Landmark Conference play Wednesday when the Colonels travel to Goucher College for a contest scheduled for 4:00 p.m.