Reading, Pa. (Feb. 7, 2017) - Alvernia and Albright have built a heated rivalry dating back to 1988.
 
The men's basketball teams have met 32 times, with the Crusaders holding a 19-13 record against the Lions. For the first 20 years, the teams played once a year in non-conference games. The rivalry was good, but got much better when the Crusaders moved into the MAC Commonwealth in 2009. Over the last eight years, the two teams have played two conference games—home and away—every season.  Alvernia has won 10 of the last 15, including five in a row.
 
On Wednesday night, the Crusaders will look to continue their hot streak against their crosstown rival.
 
"The rivalry is always one of the most fun and intense games all year because so many people, not only students, but people around the Reading community, come out and watch the game," junior guard Alex Shippen said. "It's always a fun atmosphere to play in because fans go wild."
 
Crusaders' head coach Mike Miller has rarely been involved in an Alvernia-Albright game that hasn't been tight in the final minutes. Since taking over for legendary coach Jack McCloskey in 2004, every game but four of the 20 Miller has coached against the Lions has been decided by single digits.
 
"It's for the city of Reading bragging rights," Coach Miller said. "We play in the same summer league as these guys, so we know each other on and off the court and that just adds to the rivalry."
 
Across all sports in the 29 years of this rivalry, the Crusaders and Lions have never met in a postseason game. This year has a chance at being the first time the exciting matchup happens in the playoffs. The Lions are 8-5 in a tie for second place in the MAC Commonwealth and the Crusaders sit in fourth place at 7-5.
 
"Every game we play against them is good, but this one has even more implications because we're both in the playoff hunt," junior guard Mike Miller Jr. said. "In my career it's probably the biggest Albright-Alvernia game." 
 
The two teams met on January 18, at Albright, with the Crusaders coming out victorious 70-63. Marquis Marshall and George Williams led the Crusaders with 23 and 20 points respectively, and DeJuan Smith tallied 19 points for the Lions. Fans can expect another close game Wednesday in a hectic atmosphere at Jack McCloskey Court.
 
"DeJuan Smith and Omari Ringold gave us some troubles last year," Shippen said. "As long as we key in on their weaknesses and help each other defensively we should be fine."
 
"I think everything is going to be defense," Miller Jr. said. "When we've lost our defense hasn't been really good, so I think if we play good defense we'll have a good chance to win."
 
Alvernia and Albright have met on the women's side dating back to 1994. The Crusaders owned the matchup from the beginning, winning twelve straight from 1994-2005. In the recent years however, Albright has had the upper hand. Since the start of the 2012-13 season, the Lions have defeated the Crusaders eight of nine times.
 
Albright won the first matchup this season 74-60 on January 18. The Crusaders trailed by only one at halftime, and by two with four minutes remaining in the third quarter before the Lions went on an 11-2 run to close out the frame. They lead by double figures for the entire fourth quarter to secure the win.
 
Maya Cooper scored a game high 23 points and Miranda Hoover tallied 18. The Lions had a balanced scoring attack having four players score in double figures, with Shannon Thomas leading the way with 19.