Williamsport, Pa. (Jan. 9, 2019) - After trailing by ten with eight minutes to go, Alvernia University (5-9, 1-5) came back to take the lead and hang on for the 80-77 win over Lycoming College (7-9, 1-6) in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action on Wednesday night at Lycoming.

Alvernia started off fast and held a 12-2 advantage after just four minutes of action, but the Warriors found their rhythm and got within three with just under six minutes to play.

The Golden Wolves went back up eight with a layup from Avery Walker, but the Warriors responded and got back within in two following two consecutive three point shots.

The two teams traded free throws to close out the half, and Alvernia held the 35-31 advantage going into the break.

The Warriors scored the opening points of the second half, and tied it up at 35-35 with 19:09 to play.

The Warriors and Golden Wolves traded the lead over the next five minute, but the Warriors hit a three with 14 minutes to go to spark a 17-6 run that would give them a ten point advantage.

Alvernia trailed 64-54 with 8:33 to go. The Golden Wolves began chipping away at the Warriors lead starting with a putback layup by Anthony Dadson.

The Golden Wolves tied it up at 68-68 on a jumper from Malik Green with four minutes to go, and took the lead on two converted free throws from Keon Taylor thirty seconds later.

Alvernia extended its lead to four points, 72-68, off of two free throws from Nick Youngkin, but the Warriors cut the lead back down to two following a jumper on their next possession.

The Golden Wolves and Warriors traded baskets over the next three minutes, with the Warriors coming within two with 12 seconds to go.

Alvernia's Keon Taylor was fouled with nine seconds to go. Taylor made one of his two attempts to force a three point by the Warriors.

Lycoming turned it over on their next possession and fouled Green with five seconds to go, but Green missed both shots from the line.

Taylor forced a turnover on the Warriors final possession to seal the 80-77 win over the Warriors.

"We finished," said Alvernia Head Coach Mike Miller. "Other games came down to this and we couldn't finish. Our defense won this game in the last eight minutes, we came up with big stops and made foul shots."

Alvernia finished 18-28 from the line. The Golden Wolves also forced 12 turnovers on the night, seven of which game in the second half.

Alvernia had four players reach double digit scoring. Leading the way was Youngkin, who finished the game with 21 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Taylor and Green finished with 15 points and seven rebounds each. Taylor also had five steals and four assists.

Tonight's win was Alvernia's first in MAC Commonwealth play, but the Golden Wolves are only two games out of fifth place.

"The league is so crazy right now," commented Miller. "But I really think fifth place will be 7-9. That's our goal right now, and we are going to take it one game at a time."

That mindset will come into play on Saturday when the Golden Wolves host the defending MAC Commonwealth Champions, Lebanon Valley College. The Dutchmen are currently sitting one game ahead of the Golden Wolves at 2-4 in MAC Commonwealth play.

Alvernia 80 Lycoming 77