Box Score

RADNOR, Pa. – It was way too close for comfort but after 40 minutes, the Cabrini College women's basketball team held on to top Alvernia University 54-52, extending the Blue and White's win streak to 12 games.  The Cavaliers now stand at 17-3 overall.

Junior Annie Rivituso matched a career high with 16 points and led the team with nine rebounds.  The junior has now scored double figures in six consecutive game and 10 of her last 11 games.  Fellow junior Brittany Sandone added 10 points in the win.

The Blue andWhite fell behind early but rallied with a 12-0 run, building a 14-5 lead midway through the half.   The Crusaders cut their deficit back to 16-14 before the Cavaliers went on another 12-0 run.  Senior Laura Caron's jumper gave Cabrini a 28-14 lead with just 76 seconds to play before halftime.  A late Alvernia three pointer sent the teams back to the locker room with Cabrini holding a 30-20 lead.

Cabrini wasted little time extending its lead after the break, as an 8-0 run extended the Blue and White's lead to a game high 16 points with 17:16 to play.  The Cavaliers' advantage ranged between 6-11 points until Alvernia began to mount its comeback with about eight minutes to play.  

Sophomore Megan Decker's three pointer extended Cabrini's lead to 48-38 with 7:23 on the clock, before the Crusaders went on a 9-0 run, slicing Cabrini's lead to 48-47 with 2:48 to play.   During that 4:35 span, the Blue and White managed just two field goal attempts, went 0-2 from the free throw line and committed five turnovers.  

A pair of Rivituso free throws extended Cabrini's lead to 50-47.  After a defensive stop, the junior returned to the line, where after missing the second, freshman Kristina Startare secured a big offensive rebound.  The Cavaliers swung the ball to Sandone who connected on a three pointer from the baseline, doubling the Cabrini lead.  

The Crusaders got the three points back as junior Brittany Young completed the traditional three point play with 63 seconds to play.  A Cabrini missed shot returned the ball to Alvernia.  Young was again fouled on a drive and calmly hit a pair of free throws, bringing the Crusaders to within one with 13 seconds left.  

Seven seconds later, an Alvernia foul sent freshman Dana Peterson to the stripe, where she hit the first.  Following a timeout, the rookie missed the second and the Crusaders secured the rebound.  Young went the length of the floor before missing a lay-up at the buzzer.

After shooting 44.4% from the floor in the first half, the Cavaliers connected on just 7-23 after the break.  Cabrini shot just 44.8% from the free throw line, its 16 missed free throw marking the most this season.

Caron finished the game with eight points, three rebounds and a pair of steals.  Decker added seven points, seven boards, three steals and two blocked shots.  Startare chipped in with six points and a career best eight caroms.  Junior colleen Stewart matched Rivituso with nine boards and three steals.

Freshman Stevie Forta led Alvernia (7-12) with 13 points.  Fellow rookie Chelsea Ebersol added 11 points.  Senior Kayla Long paired nine points with a game high 12 rebounds.

The Blue and White will return to CSAC action on Wednesday when they visit Neumann University (9-10, 7-3 CSAC).  Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. as part of a women's and men's basketball doubleheader.  The Cavaliers topped the Knights 65-32 in their earlier meeting.  Caron and sophomore Amber Keys combined for 30 points, while Stewart recorded 13 boards.