Reading, Pa. (Feb. 25, 2021) - Alvernia University (1-0, 1-0) used an explosive first half to jump start an 84-70 win over Messiah University (1-4, 1-4) in Alvernia's 2021 season opener Thursday night at Jack McCloskey Court.
The Golden Wolves held Messiah to just two points in the opening six points while building up a 12-2 lead, with eight of those points coming from
Malik Green.Â
After the Falcons got back within six following a layup and converted and-one opportunity by Messiah's Cam Carter, Green knocked down back-to-back threes to push Alvernia back to a 20-9 lead with 11:54 remaining in the half.
The teams traded points over the next five minutes, but a 3-pointer by Robert Mullen kicked off a surge by the Golden Wolves in the final six minutes of the half. Alvernia's defense held Messiah to just four points, all off of free throws, over the next four minutes while its offense built its lead up to 24 points, 48-24, with 2:14 remaining. A layup from Christian Reames in the final seconds of the half made it 52-30 in favor of the Golden Wolves going into the break.
Alvernia cooled off in the second half, and a 5-0 run to open the half by the Falcons cut Alvernia's lead down to 52-35.Â
A layup by Mullen off of a Messiah turnover with 13:51 left in the half put Alvernia back up by 21, 60-39.
Messiah would get within 12, 73-61, following a layup by Caleb Light with 5:21 remaining in the game, but the Falcons would never get any closer the rest of the way.
A layup from Green with 2:30 remaining put Alvernia back up by 20, 82-62. Messiah scored eight of the final ten minutes of the game, but Alvernia took the 84-70 win.
Green led Alvernia with a 26 point and 12 rebound double-double.
Jakob Kelly also finished with a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) in his first collegiate game. Dylan Cuperus and Will Young IV both finished with ten points to lead the Falcons.
Alvernia and Messiah face each other again tomorrow night as Alvernia heads to Messiah to finish off the home-and-home series. Tip-off is set for 7 PM.
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