Reading, Pa. (Feb. 25, 2011) - Top-seeded Alvernia University Men's Basketball will host its first Commonwealth Conference Championship Saturday afternoon when #2 Lebanon Valley returns to Reading for a 3:00 tip-off.

Alvernia advanced to the final with a 51-49 win over #4 Messiah College on Wednesday while the Dutchmen got to Saturday's final with a 58-56 win over #3 Widener University.  The teams split the regular season series with each team winning on its home court.  Alvernia won 60-51 in Reading on December 4 and LVC took the final game of the regular season on an overtime buzzer-beater by conference Player of the Year Anthony Trautman 64-62.

The winner of Saturday's final receives the Commonwealth's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.  The NCAA field will be announced Monday.

Ticket Information
Everyone in attendance at MAC playoff games must purchase a ticket.  Tickets will only be sold at the door and are $6.00 general admission, $4.00 for seniors, $2.00 for students, and children under six are free.  The Alvernia Student Government Association has agreed to cover the ticket price for all Alvernia University students with school ID.

Game Promotions
All fans in attendance are encouraged to WEAR WHITE. 

Parking
All fans will be directed to park in the upper lots above the student center.  There will be shuttle service provided by Alvernia University.  The maroon van and the white mini-bus will be circling from the upper lot to the gym every 5-10 minutes.

Where To Watch If You're Not In The PEC
Alvernia will be providing live stats and live video of all home playoff games.  Live video is pay-per-view at the cost of $5.95 for a 24-hour pass or $9.95 for a 30-day pass.

Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/alvernia/mbball
Live Video - http://athletics.alvernia.edu/showcase

The Alvernia-Lebanon Valley Series
Alvernia is 8-8 all time against LVC including this year's regular season split.  The Dutchmen won four of the first five in the series which started in the 1981-82 season.  Alvernia rattled off four straight wins starting with an NCAA Tournament win in 1997 through 2003 and the teams have alterntated wins in the last eight.

About The Crusaders
Alvernia is led by First Team All-Commonwealth center Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle Area).  Boone is averaging 12.0 points per game and 9.0 rebounds.  He leads the Commonwealth and is fourth in the nation in blocked shots with a school-record 81.  Seth Cornell (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor) and Second Team All-Commonwealth guard Tad Gillis (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) also average double figures at 12.1 and 11.3 points respectively.

About The Dutchmen
The Dutchmen are led by the backcourt duo of Trautman and Joe Meehan.  Trautman dropped in 27 points per game on LVC's season-ending 10-game win streak to up his average to league best 20.5 points per game.  Meehan is second in the league in scoring at 18.0.  After that the Dutchmen drop down to Danny Brooks at 10.5 per game.