Reading, Pa. (Jan. 8, 2020) - Sophomore Justin Thomas scored a game-high 28 points and Alvernia University (7-6, 3-2) ran away with a 77-57 win over Stevenson University (5-9, 2-3) Wednesday evening in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.

The Golden Wolves scored the first 13 points of the game, shot 63 percent from the floor in the first half and had a 45-17 lead at the halftime break.

"We're pretty confident in our offense with three guards getting a shot," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller after the game.  "Now that we're playing three legitimate 1s and 2s we can run a lot of different stuff."

Mikeel Allen finished the game 7-for-7 from the floor and scored 15 points and Avery Walker filled the box with 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, three assists, and a pair of blocked shots.  Bo Wesley led the Mustangs with 12 points.

"Avery has to start getting some credit for defensive player of the week," said Miller.  "It's tough to come up with statistics. I don't know what their guard was averaging, but he didn't get that.  Now take a look at his offense. Before it was just a bonus, but he's improving as much as anyone."

Stevenson sophomore Norman Hughes came into Wednesday's game averaging 14.4 points per game.  Walker faced him most of the game and help him to six points on 2-for-8 shooting with a pair of turnovers.

Alvernia held Stevenson to 39 percent shooting and forced 17 turnovers.

"Our defense has been staying constant," said Miller.  "We got caught a couple times with weak side help, but overall it's been pretty constant."

Stevenson turned the ball over on each of its first four possessions and Alvernia held a 3-0 lead when the Mustangs took an early timeout.  Justin Thomas knocked down a 3 to double the lead, and the 6-3 sophomore was off to the races scoring 22 points in the first half as the Golden Wolves cruised out to a big lead.

Alvernia scored the first 13 points of the game before Stevenson got on the board with a short jumper from Jaylin Johnson.  The Mustangs did scored seven of nine in the game to close to within eight points, 15-7, but Alvernia answered with 13 straight points in a run that lasted 3:46 and put the hosts up 28-7.

The lead was 19 points after a 3 from Stevenson's Norman Hughes, but Alvernia closed the half with 11 of the final 13 points--including a pair of dunks from Thomas--to hit the break with a 45-17 lead.

The second half lead grew to as many as 30 points and was never less than 20.

Alvernia continues the conference schedule at Lebanon Valley on Saturday.

Alvernia 77, Stevenson 57