Frederick, Md. (Nov. 30, 2016) - Hood College (6-0, 1-0) scored 14 of the final 18 points of the game to overcome a seven point deficit with under three minutes to play in a 76-73 win over Alvernia University (3-2, 0-1) Wednesday evening in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at BB&T Arena.

The Crusaders took a 69-62 lead with 2:53 when Mike Miller Jr. canned his fifth 3 of the game.  Alvernia senior Marquis Marshall picked off a pass 20 seconds later and pushed the ball up court missing an off-balance layup that would have put the Crusaders up nine.

On the next possession, Hood ran a pick-and-pop set for senior transfer Scott Bolen who knocked down a 3 from the elbow to cut the gap to four.  Following a Miller miss from the arc, Hood drew the fifth foul on Alvernia point guard George Williams and hit two free throws to pull within two.  After another miss from long range by the Crusaders, Hood worked the ball into Daniel Wegener on the block, and the 6-8 sophomore was able to power in two off the glass to tie the game at 69-all with 40 seconds to play.

Alvernia turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds when Miller stepped on the end line, and following a timeout, Hood set up another play for Bolen who converted a layup and was fouled by Alex Shippen--his fifth of the night.  Bolen, who went 5-for-5 from the line in the final 40 seconds, converted the 3-point play for a 72-69 lead, and the Crusaders were able to get a quick layup from Steve Pendleton at the other end.

Bolen hit two free throws with 23 seconds left to reestablish the 3-point lead and Pendleton scooped up a Reid Hoff missed 3 and laid it in again to cut the gap back to one.  

Once again Bolen hit free throws, this time with nine seconds left, and Miller's off-balance 3 from the right elbow was off the mark on the Crusaders' last attempt to tie.

Bolen led all scorers with 23 points.  Marshall scored 21 points to go with 10 rebounds.  Williams had 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists before fouling out.  Miller finished with 15 points on five 3s, and Shippen hit four 3s on his way to 14.

Alvernia struggled from the free throw line hitting just 7-of-14 attempts while Hood hit 26-of-36 (72%) on the night.

The Crusaders return home to continue the conference schedule on Saturday when they host Lebanon Valley College.

Hood 76, Alvernia 73