OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Led by a career-high 28 points on 13-of-18 shooting by junior Kayla Kelly, the Stevenson women's basketball team picked up their first victory of the season with a 66-61 win over Commonwealth Conference opponent Alvernia Tuesday at Owings Mills Gymnasium.

The win marks the first time since the 2006-07 season that the Mustangs (1-3, 1-0 MAC) have started the conference schedule with a victory. It is also the second consecutive victory over Alvernia to cut the all-time series to 2-3.

Kelly's 28 points are the most since January 3, 2010 when JaQuelia Conley '11 totaled 31 in a win over Carnegie Mellon.

Stevenson trailed just once during the game as Alvernia scored the first points off the opening tip. But the Mustangs scored 13 of the next 16 points to give themselves a 13-5 lead through six minutes of play.

The Crusaders (4-1, 0-1 MAC) cut the lead to just three points with 56 seconds remaining in the half after two made free throws by Kaitlyn Yoh, but sophomore Brittney Page made her second three-pointer of the half just eight seconds later to give Stevenson a 33-27 halftime advantage.

The Mustangs held their largest lead at 11 with 11:04 remaining in the second half but Alvernia went on an 11-0 run to tie the game at 52-52 with 8:01 left.

During that strech, Kelly scored 15 of the the teams 17 points.

Stevenson made five of its final six free-throws, including four consecutive by junior Kayleigh Guzek to close the game.

Sophomore Caitlin Roy totaled a career-high 11 rebounds as her and junior Ty Bender combined for 19 of the teams 38 rebounds. Roy also added a career-high four steals and Bender also dished out a season-best five assist.

Yoh lead the Crusaders with 15 points and four assists while Tyra Roberts had a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Mustangs return to action on Saturday, November 30 when they travel to face NYU-Poly in a non-conference contest beginning at 1:00 p.m.