BOX SCORE Reading, Pa. (Jan. 25, 2014) – Alvernia University (12-5, 7-3) used a combination of solid zone defense and hot-shooting offense in a 73-58 win over Lebanon Valley College (5-11, 3-7) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.
"For the first time in my life--since 1980--I'm playing zone," admitted Alvernia head coach
Mike Miller after his team's fourth straight win.
The Crusaders started to work in more zone defense in a 24-point win over Hood three weeks ago after an 89-81 loss at Lebanon Valley on January 4. A game in which LVC junior Kevin Agnew diced up the man-to-man defense for 33 points.
"At Reading [High] I probably would have gotten out of it a million times," said Miller. "Even after we fell behind Hood 9-0 I said to the coaches, 'Don't let me do it.'"
The Crusaders' zone—with some slight match-up variations—held the Dutchmen to just 32 percent shooting from the floor—a stark difference from the 58-percent effort back in Annville—and cut down on allowing free throw attempts (19 Saturday after 34 at LVC).
"There's two reasons it's working for us right now," said Miller. "Foul trouble and a zone takes away drives. Naturally you're in help and they were getting that before, drives and kicks, but when you're playing a guy like Agnew you have to scheme a little different."
Against other teams the Crusaders were falling back into a true zone defense after the press, but against the Dutchmen they tried to double Agnew to give up the ball then left junior
Lamont Clark (Parkesburg, Pa./Octorara) locked up in man.
Offensively the Crusaders pounded the ball inside taking advantage of a over-matched Dutchmen front line. Senior
Brian Parker (Chichester, Pa./Chichester) hit 11 of his first 12 shots and finished the night with 24 points. Junior
Harrison Deyo (Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville) scored 13 points to go with 12 rebounds, four assists, and four blocked shots.
"That's where the zone has really helped someone like Deyo," said Miller. "He's a space-eater and when Parker goes out to cover it puts Deyo on the weak side and he's good there. He's the guy who keeps getting better, but we're just not getting him enough touches."
Parker and Deyo both contributed to the Crusaders' 12-4 run to open the second half and
Kahlil Bennett (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) hit a pair of 3s, the second putting Alvernia up 48-33 early in the second half.
The lead remained double-digits the rest of the way and hit 23 points, 69-46 when Parker slammed home a dunk assisted by Deyo with 6:34 left.
Alvernia—now 8-0 at home this season—takes the zone on the road Wednesday for a match-up with Lycoming. The Crusaders are tied with Hood College for third place in the league just a half game behind Messiah and Stevenson.
Alvernia 73, Lebanon Valley 58
