READING, Pa. – Daelyn Stabler filled the stat sheet on Saturday afternoon to lead the Lebanon Valley women's basketball team in a tough 58-52 to host Alvernia University in Reading. Despite the defeat, LVC clinched a spot in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth Championship that starts on February 20.
 
The Dutchmen (12-11, 8-6 MAC Commonwealth) got off to a great start as Kate Fitzpatrick scored the first five points for LVC. Kailey Eckhart and Stabler added buckets to put the Dutchmen up 9-2 with 5:42 on the clock. The teams traded scores for the rest of the quarter until Stabler scored in the paint off a pass from Fitzpatrick to give LVC a 17-8 lead. Stabler began the second quarter with a pair of baskets and then Alvernia used a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to seven midway through the quarter. The Golden Wolves knocked down a three to make it 24-20 with three minutes left in the half before the Dutchmen used five straight points from Eckhart. Alvernia closed the half on a 5-0 run to trim the LVC lead to 29-24.
 
Stabler and Fitzpatrick gave the Dutchmen their first six points of the third quarter ending with a Fitzpatrick defensive rebound and pass up to Stabler for a fastbreak layup with 6:40 on the clock to make it 35-28. Alvernia responded with two threes and a layup to take the lead. The Golden Wolves increased the lead to 40-37 before a pair of Fitzpatrick free throws stopped the run. Eckhart gave the Dutchmen back the lead with a pair of free throws. The Golden Wolves ended the quarter with a jumper to take a 44-43 lead. Stabler began the fourth with a jumper to give LVC a 45-44 lead. Neither team scored for the next three minutes until the Golden Wolves knocked down a three-pointer. Cristina Fernandez tied the game up with a layup on the next trip down the floor and then Fitzpatrick gave the Dutchmen back the lead with two made free throws with just under five to play. Alvernia scored the next eight points over a four-minute span to take a six-point lead with 28 seconds to go. Riley Hevelow hit a three to cut the lead to three with 24 seconds left but that was as close as the Dutchmen would get.
 
 Inside the Box Score

• Stabler had a huge game with 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three big blocks in the fourth quarter.
• Fitzpatrick had 17 points and six rebounds while making seven of eight free throw attempts.
• Eckhart had nine points going a perfect 5-5 at the line in 11 minutes off the bench.
• The Dutchmen clinched a spot in the MAC Commonwealth Championship with their seed still to be determined.

Up Next
The Dutchmen will head to Eastern on Tuesday for an 8 p.m. tip against the Eagles. A victory over the Eagles would clinch at least the fourth seed.

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