BOX SCORE

Center Valley, Pa. (Jan. 10, 2009) - For the first time in at least nine years Alvernia (6-7, 3-2) failed to put a player in double figures and the Crusaders managed their lowest team output since 1992 in a 65-44 loss at DeSales University (11-1, 4-0) Saturday afternoon in Freedom Conference men's basketball action at Billera Hall.

Alvernia got nine points each from Charlie Hughes (Kenhorst, Pa./Governor Mifflin), David Washington (Durham, N.C./Northern Durham), and Tim Walters (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Wood) while the Bulldogs put three plalyers in double figures led by Darnell Braswell (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) wiht 20.

Alvernia scored just 19 points in the first half, being held under 20 first-half points for the third time this season.  The Crusaders went 3-for-15 from the 3-point arc on the day and were a rough 5-for-15 from the free throw line.

Alvernia started out great with Nick Rivera (Reading, Pa./Holy Name) scoring six of his eight points as the Crusaders opened up a 13-4 lead over the first five minutes.

DSU responded with a four-minute, 10-0 run that put the hosts up one, but a Hughes jumper swung the lead back to Alvernia.  With just under five minutes left in the half Braswell hit a 3 that put the cap on what was a 21-2 run that put DeSales up 10.

Alvernia scored four of the last six to hit the lockerroom trailing by eight, 27-19.

Alvernia still trailed by eight points, 45-37 with 10 minutes to play, but scored just seven points the rest of the way.  DSU senior Ed Lapinski (Red Hill, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) scored four of the team's nine points in a 9-2 run that put DeSales up 17 points, 56-39 with 5:33 to play, and the Bulldogs cruised to their 11th win of the season.

Alvernia will return home to host FDU-Florham in a women's and men's doubleheader on Wednesday.

DeSales 65, Alvernia 44