BOX SCORE

Grantham, Pa. (Feb. 16, 2013) - Junior point guard Chris Davis (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) hit back-to-back 3s late in the shot clock as Alvernia University (21-4, 15-3) pushed a 3-point lead to nine with three mintues to play en route to a 73-67 win over Messiah College (13-11, 9-9) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball at Messiah.

The win keeps the top-ranked team in the region on a roll--winners of six straight--heading into the Commonwealth Championships next week.  #5 Stevenson will travel to #4 Arcadia on Monday evening in the only quarterfinal game and the winner will travel to #1 Alvernia on Wednesday for a semifinal.  #3 Lycoming needed last-possession, game-tying 3s in regulation and overtime to defeat Hood College in double overtime on Saturday and will travel to #2 Albright in Wednesday's other semifinal.  The championship game will be Saturday at the highest remaining seed.

Messiah answered Davis' second 3 with a 3-point play from Zac Hoy, but the Crusaders made enough plays to keep the Falcons at bay.  Hoy was terrific for the blue and white all day finishing with 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the floor.

Alvernia returns to the Commonwealth Championships for the second time in its four years in the league, both times as the top seed.  Two years ago the Crusaders defeated #4 Messiah and #2 Lebanon Valley--both by two points--to win their first league title.

Messiah could have returned this year with a win on Saturday or a loss from Stevenson, but the Mustangs easily handled Lebanon Valley, 93-75, to earn the fifth seed and a trip to Arcadia.

Messiah started Saturday's game just like the team with more to play for, opening up a 19-11 lead on a 3 from Hoy.  Alvernia needed just five minutes to erase the lead putting together an 11-2 run to take a 22-21 lead on a jumper from Terrance Bridgers (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby).

The Alvernia lead was four with under two to play in the half before Hoy set up Brad Bolen for a 3, but Alvernia sophomore Lamont Clark (Parkesburg, Pa./Octorara) answered to put the Crusaders up 34-30 at the break.  Hoy had 11 points through the first 20 minutes, but Alvernia junior Kahlil Bennett (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) had 13 of his team-high 20 in the first including 3-of-5 3s in the opening half.

Messiah stayed within striking distance for most the second half until the 3s from Davis.

Davis finished with 15 points and six assists with one turnover.  He has a streak of three straight games with at least five assists and only one turnover.  Brian Parker (Chichester, Pa./Chichester) scored 14 points on an efficient 5-for-6 from the floor, and Bridgers finished with 13.

Alvernia 73, Messiah 67