Frederick, Md. (Jan. 15, 2022) - A second half surge led Hood College (9-5, 6-1) to a 74-66 win over Alvernia University (8-5, 3-2) on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Hood College. 

The Blazers went on a 17-7 run late in the second half to pull away from Alvernia and come away with the 74-66 win.

Hood opened the scoring when Mason Wang took the opening tip-off right down the court for a layup, but Keon Taylor evened it up just under a minute later to make it a 2-2 game early.

The Blazers scored four quick points over the next minute to go up 6-2, but a Jakob Kelly jumper at the 17:30 mark sparked a ten point run over the next two minutes that was capped off by a Taylor three to give Alvernia the 12-6 advantage.

Alvernia's lead did not last long as the Blazers went on an 11-1 run of their own to overtake Alvernia's lead, 17-13, midway through the first.

Later in the half, Hood held a five point advantage, 27-22, but Alvernia tied it back up at 27-27 with 3:27 left in the first following a layup by Malik Green and a 3-pointer from Robert Mullan.

The Golden Wolves and Blazers went back and forth the rest of the half, but a 3-pointer from Mason Wang off a Christopher Smalls block as time was winding down gave Hood the 35-34 lead going into the break.

A layup from Green opened the second half scoring and put Alvernia back in front, 36-35, and the back and forth between the Golden Wolves and Blazers continued through the opening minutes of the second half.

A 3-pointer by Smalls gave Hood a two point advantage, 42-40, with 16:26 to play and Alvernia would hover within two possessions for  the next six minutes.

The Blazers began to pull away with a layup from Ryan Hollwedel that gave Hood a 55-51 advantage and sparked a 17-7 run for the Blazers over the next seven and a half minutes. The run ended with a Hollwedel 3-pointer to give Hood the 70-58 lead with 2:43 to play.

3-pointers from Avery Walker and Green, as well as two made free throws by Green, brough Alvernia back within six, 72-66, with 42 seconds to play.

The Blazers converted two free throws while Alvernia missed two 3-pointers to give Hood the 74-66 win.

Alvernia was led by Green who scored 28 points on the night and added seven rebounds. Walker also finished with seven rebounds and 11 points.

Alvernia returns to action on Wednesday hosting Widener to close out the first cycle of MAC Commonwealth play.