DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Alvernia University's Alexandra Velazquez scored 30 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead the Crusaders to a 78-71, come-from-behind victory at Delaware Valley College in a Freedom Conference game.

The win, combined with Manhattanville College's loss to DeSales University, puts the Crusaders in sole possession of second place in the Freedom as they improved to 11-6 overall and 7-3 in the league. The Aggies fell back to the .500 mark overall as they are now 9-9 and 3-6.

Velazquez, a sophomore forward, hit 11 of 19 shots from the field and was 8-for-11 from the foul line as she missed matching her career high by two points. Nine of her rebounds were on the offensive end and she also finished the evening with four assists and three blocks.

Delaware Valley trailed 37-34 at halftime and were down five after the opening two minutes of the second stanza. The Aggies then went on a 12-0 run, keyed by Kim Vennera's 10 points, to take a 48-41 lead with 14:57 remaining.

Delaware Valley built its advantage to eight on three occasions, including after a Stephanie Kraemer jumper with 13:14 to go made it 56-48. The Crusaders kept finding success in the paint or by getting to the foul line. They made it a two-point contest three times, including 62-60 with 6:18 remaining as Velazquez hit one of two free throws.

Rochelle Teesdale upped the lead back up to four thanks to a layup with 6:04 left on the clock. However, Alvernia went on an 8-0 run as Lil Snyder drained a 3-pointer and Allison Toczylowski followed with a three-point play and then a layup for a 68-64 advantage with 4:06 to go.

Brittney Zimmerman came back down the other end and hit a long-range bomb for a one-point game, but Velazquez answered with a layup and Kelli McIntyre followed with a jumper for a 72-67 score with 2:56 to go. The Aggies scored four of the next six, all by Vennera, to make it a three-point game, but Snyder hit a pair of free throws with 57 seconds to go for a two-possession game. Delaware Valley turned the ball over and Velazquez sealed the game at the foul line with points number 29 and 30 with 32 ticks on the clock.

McIntyre, who entered the game tied with Vennera for the conference lead in scoring with 20.5 points per game, finished with 20 on the evening. Toczylowski added 19 points and nine boards.

Vennera notched 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Aggies. Zimmerman finished with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals while Jackie Shunkwiler hit double digits with 10 points.