Reading, Pa. (Feb. 3, 2018) - Senior Alex Shippen hit a free throw with 2.8 seconds left to give Alvernia University (10-11, 5-7) a 57-56 win over Messiah College (13-8, 7-5) Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.

Messiah forged ties three times in the last four minutes of the game.  The final one a 3-pointer from Nate Eberle on a set play out of a timeout with 24 seconds to play.

Shippen had the ball in his hands for Alvernia's final set in regulation and was able to get past his defender before getting bumped with 2.8 seconds to go.  Messiah took a timeout before the first free throw, but Shippen was all net to put Alvernia up one.  Shippen's second free throw was off the front iron and Messiah gathered the rebound and took another timeout.

Alvernia freshman Keon Taylor harassed the inbounder deflecting the ball to his left where he picked it up and dribbled out the clock.

"I had Taylor in there at the end because he's been doing a good job of mixing it up, and he comes up with a big play for us," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller.

Alvernia got a game-high 16 points from Nick Youngkin, 15 from Mike Miller, Jr., and a double-double, 11 points and 10 boards, from freshman Kyle Gordon.

Shippen finished with seven points, five rebounds, and five assists and clamped down on Messiah's top offensive threat, Colin Sareyka.

"Alex Shippen did  heck of a job on Sareyka," said Miller after the game.  "He's been especially good lately with a couple games over 25 and for him to be held to four, that's a heck of a job."

Alvernia played great team defense for the first 15 minutes of the game holding Messiah to just 15 points.  The Golden Wolves had a 10-point lead, 30-20, with just over two minutes left before halftime, but Messiah scored the final six points of the half to hit the break down just four, 30-26.

Alvernia never led by more than six through the entire second half, but also never gave up the lead until the three ties in the final four minutes.

Alvernia stays in the hunt for a postseason spot and travels to Albright on Wednesday for a huge match up with the crosstown rival.

Alvernia 57, Messiah 56