OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Highlighted by a double double by seniors Kayla Kelly and Kyarra Harmon, the top-seeded Stevenson women's basketball team captured its first-ever conference title with a 54-50 victory over second-seeded Albright in the Commonwealth Conference championship game Saturday afternoon at Owings Mills Gymnasium.

With the win, the Mustangs (23-3) earn the conference's automatic bid the 2015 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship. It is the first-ever appearance for Stevenson, who becomes the seventh different program to reach the NCAA tournament at the University.

Senior Ty Bender was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after finishing the tournament with 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.

The Mustangs scored the first points of the game as senior Kayleigh Guzek nailed a three-pointer in the corner on Stevenson's first possession. The hosts would get an early 7-0 lead just 1:20 into the contest.

Two free throws by Jane Joyce would get the Lions (20-7) on the board, followed by an unfortunate bounce of the referee, which transitioned into a fast break layup for the visitors.

Stevenson started the game connecting on two of its first four shorts, but would miss their next 14, despite totaling 13 offensive rebounds during that stretch.

Capped by two free throws by Emily O'Donnell, Albright used an 8-2 run to tie the game at 12-12 with 10:11 remaining in the first half. O'Donnell and Shannon Thomas each scored four points during the run.

Following a made free throw by Guzek, the Mustangs forced a steal and sophomore Sara Tarbert connected on the layup to extend the hosts lead to three. But a three-pointer just two possessions later by Thomas gave the Lions their first lead of the game, 16-15.

Tarbert, an All-Commonwealth Conference First Team selection, gave Stevenson back the lead after the forward drained a three-pointer, her ninth of the year. There would be five ties and five lead changes throughout the opening half.

Following the 16th offensive rebound by the Mustangs, Harmon found Tarbert who was able to drive start to the bucket for the layup and give Stevenson a 23-21 lead. But the Lions scored the final four points to lead 25-23 at the break.

The two teams were a combined 12-for-59 in the half with 25 turnovers. Fourty-four percent of the first half points came from the free throw line, as Albright was 12-for-15 compared to 9-for-16 for the Mustangs.

After the worst shooting performance in the first half this season, the Mustangs connected on five of their first eight shots to build a five-point lead. But Stevenson was just 3-for-22 the rest of the way.

Following a jumper by Kelecia Harris at the 15:40 mark, neither team connected from the field for the next 5:13. During that stretch, the teams combined to go 8-for-12 from the free throw line.

Tarbert, the Mustangs leading scorer this season, picked up her fourth foul with 14:42 remaining in the second half. Harmon and Bender would also pick up their fourth foul midway through the half while Harris, the Lions leading scorer picked up her fourth with 6:44 left.

Two free throws by Guzek tied the game at 42-42 before Kelly connected on two to give Stevenson the lead, one they would not relinquish. The Mustangs outscored Albright, 17-10 over the final 8:14.

A three-point play by Kelly with 2:27 left gave the Mustangs its largest lead of the game at eight with 2:27 remaining.

Down the other end, Harris grabbed an offense rebound and laid it in before O'Donnell took advantage of a Stevenson turnover to get the visitors within four. Her next basket with 42 seconds left in the game cut the deficit to three but that would be as close as the Lions would get.

O'Donnell's three-point try with eight seconds left hit off the front of the rim and Kelly made one of two free throws to make it a two possession game with four seconds left. The Lions got off a three-point try with one second left, but it was off the mark.

Both teams made just 14 field goals and shot under 27 percent while they combined to shoot 72 free throws.

Kelly, who scored 10 of Stevenson's final 12 points, finished with 17 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. She was 9-for-11 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Harmon totaled her first double double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

For the first time this season, Tarbert was held under 10 points as she finished with eight points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Harris led Albright with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The selection show for the 2015 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship will take place on Monday, March 2 live on NCAA.com at 2:30 p.m.