Reading, Pa. (Feb. 17, 2015) – Alvernia University (14-9, 9-6) shot a blistering 60 percent from the floor—including 63 percent from behind the arc—in an 88-56 win over Lebanon Valley College (12-12, 6-9) Tuesday evening in Commonwealth Conference Men's Basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.
 
The win clinches a conference postseason berth for the Crusaders—their fourth in six years since joining the Commonwealth.
 
Junior Chuck Cooper knocked down seven 3s, matching freshman Mike Miller with a game-high 21 points, and locked down on defense holding to league's leading scorer, LVC senior Kevin Agnew, to 12 points—half of his season average.
 
"We just helped each other out and played good team defense," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller.  "We've been preaching that from the start, play good team defense and offense will come."
 
The offense came in bunches from the opening tip.
 
Senior Harrison Deyo scored on a post move to start the scoring and a Cooper 3 on the next possession gave the hosts a 5-2 lead.
 
Cooper hit a pair of 3s and Miller another during an 11-4 run that pushed the gap to nine points, 21-12.  A possession later, freshman reserve Alex Shippen got into the act hitting a 3 to push the lead to double figures for the first time on the evening, 24-14, with 8:52 left in the half.
 
Three minutes later, Miller knocked down back-to-back 3s and the Crusaders put together a 16-4 run for a 46-22 lead.  The Dutchmen got a spark when Andy Orr hit a 50-foot runner at the first half buzzer, but Alvernia still held a 46-27 lead at the break.
 
Miller went 4-for-4 from the arc in the first half and led all scorers with 14 points.  Cooper was 3-for-7 from the arc and had nine points, three assists, and three steals.
 
Lebanon Valley had a mini spurt to pull within 13 points, 56-43, but a layup from Lamont Clark and 3s from Cooper and Miller sparked a 24-3 run that blew the game wide open.
 
Cooper went 4-for-6 from the arc in the second half to finish with 21.  Miller matched him with six 3s and three free throws.  Clark scored 15 points, Deyo added 13, and Shippen finished with 12.
 
Agnew and Orr both led the Dutchmen with 12.
 
The five teams that will make up the Commonwealth Championships were determined on Tuesday night with only seedings to be determined.  Lycoming will be the #1 seed, and with one game left in the regular season, there is a four-way tie for second place between Alvernia, Arcadia, Hood, and Stevenson.
 
The Crusaders could finish anywhere from second to fifth.  A win on Saturday at crosstown rival Albright would assure the Crusaders of no worse than third place, and could be second if Hood loses.
 
The Championships start on Monday with a 4/5 quarterfinal game.  The semifinals follow on Wednesday with the final next Saturday.
 
Alvernia 88, Lebanon Valley 56