BOX SCORE

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dec. 29, 2011) - Junior Josh Vargas (Allentown, Pa./Faith Christian Academy) scored a game-high 20 points and Alvernia University (6-3) used and early 13-0 run to set up a 70-56 win over the University of Mary Washington (8-3) Thursday evening in non-confrence men's basketbal action at The Land of Magic Classic hosted by Embry Riddle.

The Crusaders turned an 8-3 deficit into a 21-8 lead with the early run.  Vargas scored seven of the 13 during the run then scored the last bucket of the half for a 15-point lead at the break, 37-22.

Mary Washington used an 11-2 run early in the second half to cut the deficit down to nine points and prompt an Alvernia timeout.  Sophomore Chris Davis (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) hit a 3 on the other side of the stoppage that sparked a 7-0 Alvernia run and the Crusaders had a double-digit lead until one final UMW run cut it to nine with three minutes to play.

Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) and Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle) joined Vargas in double figures for the Crusaders with 10 points apiece, and senior Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) had a team-best 13 rebounds.  E.J. Willis reached double figures off the bench for UMW with 10.

The Crusaders return home late New Year's Day and will face SUNY-Potsdam Tuesday evening on day one of the Red Robin Holiday Tournament hosted by DeSales University.

Alvernia 70, Mary Washington 56