Newport News, Va. (Nov. 28, 2021) - Senior Keon Taylor became the 27th player in Alvernia Men's Basketball history to reach 1,000 career points as he led the Golden Wolves (5-3) to a 70-64 win over #24 New Jersey City University (3-4) on Sunday afternoon in non-conference men's basketball action at the Christopher Newport/Holiday Inn Invitational in Newport News, Virginia. 

Taylor's 1,000th career point came off a layup with just over four minutes remaining in the game, and were also the points that gave Alvernia the lead for good. The layup made it a 56-54 game in favor of the Golden Wolves with 4:04 remaining. Alvernia would hang onto the lead the rest of the way for the 70-64 decision. 

The Gothic Knights scored the first points of the contest off a layup on the opening possession. Alvernia's Jakob Kelly answered with a layup of his own on Alvernia's opening possession to even it up at 2-2.

The two teams traded baskets over the next three minutes until NJCU went on a quick 6-0 run over two minutes to jump out to a 10-4 lead with 14:28 remaining in the first half.

Malik Green answered for Alvernia with a 3-pointer 30 seconds later to bring Alvernia right back into it, and a jumper by Taylor brought Alvernia back within one, 10-9, with 13:28 remaining in the opening half.

The Golden Wolves stayed within one possession for the next six minutes until an Avery Walker three tied it up at 19-19 with just over seven minutes until the half.

Two made free throws by the Gothic Knights on their next possession gave them the lead, which they would hold onto until the final seconds of the half. With time expiring in the first half, Taylor knocked down a jumper to even it up at 35-35 going into the break.

NJCU came out of the half and quickly extended its lead back to six, 41-35, after 1:20 of second half action. 

Over the next three minutes Alvernia worked its way back and a 3-pointer by Green evened it up at 41-41 with 15:58 remaining. 

The Knights again retook the lead on a layup 30 seconds later, and built that lead back up five points, 46-41, with 13:16 remaining. 

Both teams traded baskets until Mickeel Allen made a layup to tie it at 50-50 with 6:53 remaining in the game. 

NJCU retook the lead, 52-50, on a jumper with 5:45 remaining and 90 seconds later the game was tied back up at 54-54.

Alvernia took the lead for good on Taylor's 1,000th point, a driving layup, with 4:04 remaining in the game.

Alvernia built the lead up to double digits, 65-54, following an 11-0 run that was capped by an Allen free throw with 1:31 remaining.

NJCU never got closer than two possessions the rest of the way as Alvernia came away with the 70-64 win. It's the second time this season Alvernia knocked off the nationally ranked Knights. Alvernia defeated NJCU 70-64 in its season opener earlier this month.

Taylor led all scorers with a season-high 24 points. Taylor is the 27th men's basketball player to reach the 1,000 point milestone. He is the latest to do so since Alex Shippen and Mike Miller Jr. both surpassed 1,000 points during the 2017-18 season. 

Green also reached double digits with 18 points and added eight rebounds.

The Golden Wolves return to action on Wednesday at home with its MAC Commonwealth opener against York College.