Reading, Pa. (Jan. 4, 2020) - Alvernia University (6-6-, 2-2) overcame a 16 point halftime deficit to defeat Hood College (8-4, 1-2) 71-68 in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court. 

"I've had teams in the past that might have mailed it in, saying it's impossible to come back from that," said Head Coach Mike Miller. "But, our defense stayed consistent, and we felt that."

Alvernia's offense struggled in the first half, shooting just 7-for-36, including 3-for-23 from beyond the arc. But, Alvernia's defense held the Golden Wolves in the game for the majority of the first half. 

The Golden Wolves were trailing by just three points, 23-18, following a Mickeel Allen layup with 4:53 remaining in the first half - but then Hood's offense went off.

The Blazers went on a 16-3 run to close out the half. Ryan Holdwell kicked off the run with a 3-pointer. Following two possessions with two converted layups, Hood's Mason Wang knocked down three straight 3-pointers to put the Blazers up by 18 with 49 seconds remaining. 

Avery Walker converted two free throws for the Golden Wolves going into the half to make it 39-23. 

The Golden Wolves come out of the half looking like a completely different team. 

After going 3-for-23 from beyond the arc, Alvernia's Steve Pierce wasn't hesitant to keep shooting from deep. Pierce got things started for the Golden Wolves just nine seconds into the second half, knocking down a statement 3-pointer.

Keon Taylor forced a turnover by Evan Wang, and Justin Thomas attempted a three that was off the mark. But, Allen picked up the rebound for a put-back layup to quickly cut Hood's lead to 11.

The Blazers called a timeout and Christopher Smalls came out of the break with a quick three to extend the lead back to 14. 

Avery Walker responded for the Golden Wolves with a three of his own, and Pierce added his second three of the half on Alvernia's next possession.

The Golden Wolves and Blazers traded scores over the next two possessions before Nick Youngkin knocked down a three and then converted a layup to cut Hood's lead to five, 46-41, with 14:37 remaining. 

The Blazers took advantage of two straight Alvernia turnovers to extend its lead back to nine, 56-47, with just under ten minutes remaining.

Pierce knocked down two free throws, and Thomas and Pierce each hit a layup to get back within three.

Pierce then tied it up at 56-56 with a 3-pointer with 7:39 remaining.

The Golden Wolves then took the 57-56 lead on a Thomas free throw on the next possession. 

After Hood tied it back up at 57-57 on a free throw of its own, Thomas knocked down his only 3-pointer of the afternoon to put Alvernia up 60-57.

The two teams would trade the lead over the next five minutes before Allen put Alvernia ahead for the final time on a made free throw with 1:51 remaining.

Thomas put Alvernia ahead 71-68 with a jumper with 49 seconds left.

Following a missed jumper by Mason Wang, Alvenria got the ball back with 38 seconds left. Pierce missed a 3-pointer, but Walker came up with the huge rebound to keep the ball with the Golden Wolves and seal the 71-68 win.

Freshman Steve Pierce, who was starting his first collegiate game in place of injured 2018-19 Rookie of the Year Malik Green, led Alvernia's offensive efforts with 16 points. Freshman Mickeel Allen, coming off the bench, picked up his first career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. 

"Steve [Pierce]...ended up making four big threes and was our high scorer. Mickeel [Allen] had his best overall game," said Miller of the two freshmen. "Those two guys were the MVPs of the team."

Thomas also reached double digits with 14 points. 

Alvernia returns to Jack McCloskey court on Wednesday when Stevenson comes to Reading. Both teams are 2-2 in MAC Commonwealth play.

"We've got to continue to get better everyday...our goal is to win the [MAC Commonwealth] championship," added Miller. "I think if we continue to get better, we are right there."