Reading, Pa. (Nov. 8, 2019) - Gwynedd-Mercy University (1-0) scored the first 10 points of the second half to erase a five-point halftime deficit and held off Alvernia University (0-1) in a 69-64 win Friday evening in non-conference men's basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.

Gwynedd-Mercy scored four straight points from the free throw line to turn a 57-all tie into a 61-57 lead.  Alvernia went 2-for-7 from the floor and 0-for-3 from the line over the last five minutes of the game. The Wolves were 7-for-18 from the stripe in the first half and finished the game 11-for-29 from the free throw line, 37.9 percent.

Alvernia did make a push in the last minute with Darnell Ransom hitting a 3 to cut a six-point lead in half then scored on a jumper to answer a pair of free throws from the Griffins.  GMU hit four free throws in the final 13 seconds to stay ahead by two possessions.

Alvernia held a 13-point lead, 36-23, following a jumper from Justin Thomas and was still up 11 points after a Mickeel Allen free throw with 1:29 left in the half.  GMU got a pair of 3s from Rich Duham in the final 41 seconds of the half to hit the break down five points, 38-33.

Dunham led the Griffins with 21 points.  Alvernia got a team-high 20 from defending MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year, Malik Green.

Alvernia returns to action next Friday evening for day one action of the Quality Inn Tournament hosted by SUNY-Oneonta.

Gwynedd-Mercy 69, Alvernia 64