BOX SCORE

Reading, PA (Jan. 14, 2006) – In a mid season match up of the top two teams in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, Alvernia College took a two-game lead in the conference standings with a 76-50 win over Arcadia University Saturday afternoon in men’s basketball action at the Physical Education Center.

            Alvernia senior Ryan Finger (Lancaster, PA/Lampeter Strasburg) scored a career high 15 points to lead the Crusaders (10-3, 6-0 PAC).  Senior guard Chris Talley (Royersford, PA/Spring Ford) scored 13 points, all in the first half, Zach Straining (Paxtang, PA/Central Dauphin East) scored 12, and Lamar Brickus (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville) added 10.

            Alvernia opened with a 9-0 run and held Arcadia to just two points over the first nine minutes.  Arcadia sophomore Eugene Moore (Trenton, NJ/Steinert) scored at the 11:00 mark to make the score 17-4, Alvernia.  Arcadia (5-7, 4-2 PAC) cut the lead to seven points, but Mike Brock (Royersford, PA/Spring Ford) nailed two of his three 3s as the hosts pushed the lead back to 14 points, 27-13.  The first half lead grew to as many as 25 points, 43-18 with the Crusaders taking a 45-22 lead into halftime.

            Arcadia closed the gap to 14 points midway through the second half, but Brock hit another 3 for the Crusaders to cap a quick 5-0 spurt that helped put the game away.

            Alvernia will travel to Marywood University for a women’s and men’s doubleheader on Monday.

Alvernia 76, Arcadia 50