Reading, Pa. (Nov. 13, 2015) – Alvernia University (1-0) opened up the 2015-16 season with a convincing 83-66 victory over Delaware Valley (0-1) Friday evening on Jack McCloskey Court.

The Crusaders were slow to start, putting together just 10 points across the first eight minutes. Charles Cooper kick-started an Alvernia run with 12:13 left in the half, giving Alvernia the 12-9 advantage. George Sapp followed Cooper with his first career 3 for the Crusaders taking Alvernia up 15-9.

Delaware Valley made one from inside the paint, but that didn't stop Alvernia. The Crusaders responded with a pair of Mike Miller jumpers and back-to-back 3s from Anthony Hedgepeth and Sapp to pull ahead 25-11.

Despite a layup by the Aggies, the Crusaders stayed hot as Miller tacked on two more points and Adam Siegrist kept the momentum going by draining his foul shot to cap off a 3-point play for the 31-13 lead.

Entering the double bonus with just over six minutes left, Alvernia capitalized on foul shot opportunities, making 7-of-8 from the line. The Crusaders added jumpers from Sapp and Siegrist, with Hedgepath landing his third 3 of the half to take the 45-24 margin going into the half.

The Crusaders and the Aggies exchanged baskets to open up the second half, with Delaware Valley chipping away at the Alvernia lead. The Aggies cut their deficit to nine at 54-45 but that's the closest they would get. Foul shots by Cooper and an Alex Shippen layup combatted Aggie goals to stay within nine at 58-49. Miller then made two from the line to start the Crusaders on a run to extend their lead.

Alvernia established its distance with five minutes left in the game, using back-to-back fast break lay-ups by Siegrist and Sapp to put the Crusaders up 70-54. Siegrest was not finished though, scoring on the next two possessions for the 74-56 advantage.

After a Miller jumper, the Crusaders wrapped up the second half in the same fashion as the first, shooting 7-for-9 from the line for the 83-66 win.

Alvernia found a solid rhythm on 3s in the first half, knocking down 58% from behind the arc. The Crusaders shot 53% from the field on the night, posting a strong 25-for-28 from the foul line.

Miller led the way for the Crusaders, ending one point short of tying his career-game high with 24. Adam Siegrist had a career-high 17, and George Sapp and Anthony Hedgepeth opened their careers with Alvernia with 12 and nine, respectively.

The Crusaders return to action tomorrow, hosting Penn State Brandywine at 7:00.

Alvernia 83, Delaware Valley 66