Box Score
Ohio Wesleyan 68, Alvernia 42

Freshman guard Leah Maniaci (Marion/Pleasant) scored 5 points during a 15-1 first-quarter run and sophomore guard Tia Karras (Bellbrook/Miami Valley) tallied 11 consecutive points during a 21-4 second-quarter run that powered Ohio Wesleyan to a win over Alvernia in the championship game of the Nonno Alby's Tip-Off Tournament, hosted by Alvernia College on Saturday in Reading, Pa.

Alvernia's Dej'hanne McNeal sank a lay-in to bring the Golden Wolves within 5-4 midway through the first quarter, but freshman guard Devin Hefner (Parkersburg, W.Va./South) answered with a 3-pointer to kick off the Bishops' 15-1 run.  Maniaci and Karras followed with 3-pointers, senior guard Lisa Zeller (Orient/Grove City Christian) followed with a lay-in, and freshman post Cierra Joiner (Centerburg) and Maniaci each hit a pair of free throws to give the Bishops a 20-5 lead with 1:47 left in the quarter.

Kiersten Ingram sank a pair of free throws for Alvernia, and Amber Orban followed with a bucket to end Alvernia's stretch of 5-plus minutes without a field goal.  Torie Zerbe drilled a 3-pointer just seconds into the second quarter to bring the Golden Wolves within 23-13.

Karras took over from there, driving for a lay-in, then connecting on a trio of 3-pointers in a span of 33 seconds to stretch the lead to 34-15.  Karras added another 3-pointer later in the run, and freshman post Makayla DeArmond (Springfield) followed with a lay-in that gave the Bishops a 44-17 lead in the final minute of the half.

Karras led the Bishops with 21 points.  Junior guard Claire Sterling (West Jefferson) recorded team bests of 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Maya Cooper led Alvernia with 11 points.

Hefner represented the Bishops on the all-tournament team.

Box Score