Reading, Pa. (Dec. 22, 2014) - Fifth-ranked Dickinson College (9-1) posted 49 points in the second half in a 71-64 win over Alvernia University (4-5) Monday evening in non-conference men's basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.
 
The Crusaders—led by freshman Alex Shippen—built a 17-point lead with five minutes still to go in the first half and took a 35-22 lead into the locker room.
 
After a layup from Alvernia senior Harrison Deyo to open the second half, Dickinson put together a 26-8 run over an eight-minute stretch to erase the deficit and establish a 3-point lead, 48-45 with 11:35 to play.
 
A 7-0 spurt five minutes later put the Red Devils up seven with 6:42 to go and they held the lead the rest of the way.
 
Shippen went 5-for-5 from the arc in the opening half matching the Dickinson output with 22 at the break.  His first 3 of the night gave the Crusaders a 14-7 lead.  He backed that up with another 3 that put the Crusaders up double digits for the first time at 17-7, and his final 3 of the half made it 33-16 Alvernia at the 5-minute mark.
 
After seeing their lead disappear, a pair of Shippen free throws pulled the Crusaders back within three points, 62-59 with 3:47 to play, but Dickinson scored on back-to-back possessions in the paint for a 66-59 lead.  Charles Cooper hit a 3 with 1:40 to go, but the best the Crusaders could do down the stretch was match buckets.
 
"We played as hard as you could," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller.  "They're not ranked for no reason.  That's a very good team right there." 
 
Shippen finished with a career-high 26 points, and Harrison Deyo scored 19 points to go with seven boards.  Dickinson got a team-high 20 from Brandon Angradi, who hit all three of his 3s during the 90-second stretch that saw the Devils take back the lead.
 
"It's the little things we still have to work on," said Miller.  "Foul shooting and some defensive breakdowns.  Overall I'm happy with the effort.  We can solve the other problems."
 
Gerry Wixted finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Dickinson and Ted Hinnenkamp added a dozen.
 
The Crusaders return to the conference schedule the Saturday after New Year's at Messiah.
 
#5 Dickinson 71, Alvernia 64