Box score

Reading, PA … The College of New Jersey women's basketball team saw its three-game winning streak come to an end as they fell to Alvernia University 54-47.

Down by ten points midway through the second half, the Lions (8-6) held the Crusaders (7-5) scoreless for over six minutes and took a 47-46 lead. But Alvernia netted the game's final eight points to gain its fourth win in their last five contests.

Senior Keri Washington (Ewing, NJ/Pennington Prep) scored a season-high 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while classmate Alex Gregorek (Mahwah, NJ/Academy of Holy Angels) finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three blocked shots.

The Lions (8-6, 2-2 NJAC) had won six of their last seven decisions entering the contest, and will now look to get back on track as they head into a critical New Jersey Athletic Conference meeting at Richard Stockton College on Wednesday night.

The game was tied up at 14 at the 8:44 mark of the opening half. The Crusaders charged ahead as they rattled off seven straight points before TCNJ junior Jessica Imhof (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) nailed back-to-back three-point shots to close the gap to 21-20. The versatile junior hit all three of her attempts from long range in the opening period to lead the Lions with nine first-half points.

Alvernia got hot towards the end of the half, increasing the lead to 30-22 as they compiled nine steals and forced 18 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.

Senior Angela Altemose, who was recently named the Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week, scored seven of the Alvernia's first nine points after the intermission. Altemose was tough in the paint all evening finishing with a game-high 19 points and five assists.

TCNJ had cleaned up its play after the break taking better care of the basketball, but couldn't seem to gain ground by the midpoint of the second period. Their defense took control of the game, however, as they didn't allow a point over the next six minutes.

Gregorek scored on two straight possessions to cut the Crusader lead to 42-36. She hit her next shot despite being fouled and made good on her free throw to make it a 42-39 game at the 8:07 mark. Washington then knocked down a jumper to draw within a point.

After both teams traded baskets, Washington hit a pair of foul shots to give TCNJ its first lead of the half at 47-46 with 1:49 to play.

The Crusaders were clutch down the stretch, however, as an Altemose basket was followed by ta hree-point bucket by Julie Hahn. Kelsey Gill capitalized on two free throws to seal their third consecutive win.

Imhof was productive in 36 minutes of play finishing with 11 points, six boards, five assists, and three steals for the Lions. Sophomore Candace Vigo (New Brunswick, NJ/New Brunswick Health Science Tech) also played well compiling six rebounds, three steals, and a pair of assists.

The Lions return to action on Wednesday, January 12 when they visit the Ospreys for a 6 p.m. tip-off. The NJAC South Division rivals are currently 3-0 in NJAC South Division. TCNJ returns home on Saturday, January 15 taking on William Paterson University at 1 p.m.