IMMACULATA, Pa.- The Immaculata University women's basketball team downed Alvernia University in each program's season opener on Friday night. The second quarter served as an inflection point for the Mighty Macs, as Immaculata outscored the visitors 23-3 over a six minute stretch. The blue and white maintained their momentum throughout, sustaining a double-digit lead for the final nineteen minutes of the contest.

Immaculata launches their 2024-2025 campaign with a 1-0 record, as they'll look to go two games up following their Monday night matchup at Moravian University (11/11, 6pm tip-off). 

Golden Wolves take early edge
An Abigail Boyer triple and a pair of layups from Carly Coleman gave the Mighty Macs their first seven points of the contest. Immaculata dropped their two-possession lead late in the first quarter, as Alvernia posted a 12-0 run that extended into the second frame. Alvernia found success inside, fueling their early advantage, as the Golden Wolves generated 12 of their first 20 points from the paint with 5 of the remaining 8 from the stripe.

Immaculata stages second period surge
Following the 12-point swing that fed a 20-11 Alvernia advantage, the Mighty Macs won Alumnae Hall over with 23 points interrupted by just one made field goal from the Golden Wolves. The immaculate stretch began with Carly Coleman converting on consecutive layup attempts. Reese Mullins followed with the game's next 6 points by way of four free throws and a layup. Following two successful free throws from Olivia Ettorre and a quick trigger three from Reese Mullins, Riley Cassidy cashed a three point attempt and added the game's next two points from the line. Alyssa Long's offensive board turned and-one capped off the run, as the Mighty Macs had chiseled a 36-23 lead after trailing Alvernia 20-11.

Reese Mullins led Immaculata with 11 points entering the break, followed closely by Carly Coleman's 10. Tessa Liberatoscioli made her mark on the defensive end, collecting a pair of steals and a block in the second frame alone.

Mighty Macs create second-half separation
Immaculata's starting five (Tessa Liberatoscioli, Abigail Boyer, Reese Mullins, Olivia Ettorre, Meg Robbins) all came out strong after halftime, as each had a made field goal in the third quarter. Meg Robbins' offensive putback layup pushed the Immaculata lead to 20 points with 3:36 remaining in the period. The Mighty Macs remained steady on both ends, as layups and trips to the line helped the Mighty Macs maintain their steady edge late in the contest. Made jumpers from Julia Pohl and Francesca Scarpone inside the final minute of play put a bow on the game, one Immaculata would take by a final score of 77 to 53.

Second chance points and second unit scoring helped feed the favorable outcome, highlighted by Carly Coleman's 12 & 9 night. Riley Cassidy collected 10 points off the bench, while Alyssa Long's up-tempo play (5 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal and a forced jump ball) added to the cause.

Immaculata Scoring

• 26 Points in the Paint         (Alvernia 34)
• 14 Points off Turnovers     (Alvernia 10)
• 19 Second Chance Points (Alvernia 7)
• 11 Fastbreak Points           (Alvernia 11)
• 33 Bench Points                 (Alvernia 8)

Mighty Mac Stats

• Reese Mullins 19 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 6-10 FG
• Carly Coleman 12 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 6-7 FG
• Olivia Ettorre 10 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK
• Riley Cassidy 10 PTS, 1 BLK, 4-4 FT
• Abigail Boyer 7 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL
• Tessa Liberatoscioli 6 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 4 STL

Upcoming

• The Mighty Macs prepare for three games next week, as Immaculata visits Moravian University on Monday, November 11th at 6pm before hosting Haverford and McDaniel on Wednesday and Saturday.