West Hartford, Conn. (Nov. 6, 2021) - Alvernia University (1-0) opened its 2021-22 campaign with a 70-60 win over #24 New Jersey City University (0-1) in Alvernia's opening game of the University of St. Joseph (Conn.) Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday at the University of St. Joseph. 

The Golden Wolves used a big first half to take a 38-24 lead over the Gothic Knights. The lead would be crucial as the Gothic Knights outscored Alvernia 36-32 in the second half. But, Alvernia was able to hang on for the 70-60 win.

Alvernia jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes of action with Avery Walker dunking it for Alvernia's first points of the 2021-22 season. After the dunk, Alvernia picked up points off a Keon Taylor free throw, and layups by Jakob Kelly and Mickeel Allen.

The Gothic Knights would bring it within four, 10-6, over the next two minutes, but 3-pointers from Taylor and Malik Green extended Alvernia's lead to ten, 16-6, with 13:23 left in the first half.

After Alvernia extended its lead to 13, 21-8, off another 3-pointer by Green with just under 12 minutes remaining in the half, both teams went scoreless for three minutes.

NJCU broke the scoreless drought with a 3-pointer by Carter Flloyd-Manning to bring the Gothic Knights within ten, 21-11, 8:58 remaining in the first half.

Just under three minutes later, the Gothic Knights cut Alvernia's lead to down to eight off a layup by Hakeem Wilson.

A layup from Taylor with 4:54 left on the clock in the first half extended Alvernia's lead back to ten, 29-19. But, another scoring drought ensued as both teams struggled to find the net.

With 2:13 left in the first half, a 3-pointer by Taylor sparked a run by Alvernia that saw its lead extend to 38-21. Rece Harman capped off the run with a 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining in the half.

The Gothic Knights scored the final three points of the first half as Alvernia went into the break with a 38-24 advantage.

Both offenses struggled to get back in rhythm to open the second half. Alvernia scored just four points in the opening four minutes, and NJCU added just two points, as Alvernia led 42-28 with 16 minutes remaining in the game.

A 3-pointer from Green and a dunk from Walker on Alvernia's next two possessions force the Gothic Knights to call a timeout as Alvernia extended its lead to 47-30 with 14:37 remaining.

While NJCU was able to put a quick stop to Alvernia's offense, the Gothic Knights struggled to score points of their own. Both teams went scoreless for the next two and a half minutes until Taylor made a free throw to make it a 48-30 game with 12:21 remaining.
Over the next three minutes, NJCU went on an 11-2 run to cut Alvernia's lead back to single digits, 50-41, with 8:35 remaining.

The Gothic Knights continued to pressure Alvernia, and a layup by the Gothic Knights with a made free throw off a shooting foul made the game its closest since the opening minutes as NJCU got within six, 50-44.

Alvernia's offense was able to build a slight lead back up, but NJCU would not go quietly. With 6:28 remaining, NJCU's Ryan Savoy made a layup to make it 53-48. 30 seconds later, NJCU converted two free throws to cut Alvernia's lead to three, 53-50. 

Both teams continued to trade points until a layup from Green with 1:48 remaining put Alvernia up seven, 63-56.

NJCU was forced to start fouling the Golden Wolves, and Alvernia found success at the line. Green converted five free throw attempts and Tayor added two to seal Alvernia's 70-60 win over the Knights.

Alvernia will now face host USJ in the championship game of the tournament tomorrow. USJ defeated Augusta (Maine) in a lopsided victory, 104-50. USJ is coached by hall of famer Jim Calhoun of UConn fame. The Blue Jays were ranked #9 in d3hoops.com's preseason poll.