Reading, Pa. (Nov. 18, 2015) – Alvernia University (3-0) recorded its third win of the season, defeating Immaculata University (0-2) Wednesday evening 68-59 in non-conference action on Jack McCloskey Court.

Alvernia took the 2-0 lead less than two minutes into the game and never looked back.

The Crusaders were a force to be reckoned with across the first half, doubling the Mighty Macs 34-17.

Ahead 4-2, Alvernia launched a 13-point unanswered run for the 17-4 advantage. Immaculata's Cordell Lord tried to stop the Crusaders momentum, making the Mighty Mac's first bucket in two minutes, but George Sapp quickly started a second Alvernia run. Anthony Hedgepeth drained one from behind the arc and Adam Siegrist put away back-to-back jumpers to put Alvernia up 25-6.

Immaculata managed to cut the lead to 25- 13, but Mike Miller nailed a jumper and a 3 to put the Crusaders back on the board. The two teams exchanged buckets across the final minutes in the half, with Miller sinking the final bucket of the half.
Alvernia stayed hot opening the second half, putting together an 11-2 streak. Shippen was the spark to the run, picking up 8 of the 11 points.  Up 45-19, the Crusaders and the Mighty Macs exchanged free throws to bring the score to 49-23.

Immaculata's Tony Calamaro made a jumper to get it to 25, but Shippen and Miller put in a pair of 3's to give Alvernia a 30-point lead. The Mighty Macs answered with a 3 of their own, which was quickly overshadowed by Sapp's shot from downtown to keep Alvernia ahead 58-28.
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After a pair of Sapp free-throws, a Shippen jumper gave the Crusaders their largest lead of the night, leading Immaculata by 34.

The Mighty Macs refused to go quietly though, putting together two runs of their own throughout the final six minutes. Trailing 62-28, Immaculata used a seven point stint to cut the lead 62-35.

Sapp slowed down the Mighty Macs by making two from the line, and Miller cancelled out an Immaculata layup to keep Alvernia up 66-37.

With four minutes left, Immaculata hit a 16-point unanswered run to come within 13 of the Crusaders. Jordan Hankerson put Alvernia back on the board with 21 seconds left, capitalizing on a pair of free-throws for the 68-53 margin.

In a strong offensive effort, Immaculata managed a pair of 3's before the final buzzer to bring its deficit into single digits for a 68-59 final.

"Overall we played well," said Coach Miller, "However, as a team we have to finish. In the final seven minutes, we had the chance to finish with a lot of different guys on the floor. We have to finish no matter who is out there. But overall, we had a good game."

The Crusaders had three players in double digit scoring. Miller led the way for the third game in a row, racking up 21 points. Shippen was close behind Miller with a season-high 19 points, and George Sapp collected 10. Miller and Siegrist led the team in rebounds with six a piece.

Tonight's scoring performances marks the third consecutive game where Mike Miller has put together a 20+ point game performance, which has not been done in the Crusaders program since Terrance Shawell in the 2007-2008 season.

Alvernia will return to action this weekend, hitting the road for the Muhlenberg Tournament. The Crusaders will open play on Friday, facing Muhlenberg College.

Alvernia 68, Immaculata 59