York, Pa. (Jan. 22, 2022) - After trailing by five at the half, Alvernia University (10-5, 5-4) outscored York College (6-8, 2-7) 40-28 in the second half to propel the Golden Wolves to a 76-69 win over the Spartans on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth Men's Basketball action at York. 

Alvernia went on a quick 8-0 run late in the second half to jump ahead 66-59 with just over eight minutes remaining. The Spartans got back within one point, 68-67, with two minutes remaining, but York never got closer as Alvernia came away with the 76-69 win - the same exact score Alvernia beat the Spartans by at Alvernia back in December. 

The Spartans opened the scoring with a 3-pointer from Chris Miers, but Alvernia's Keon Taylor responded with a three of his own to tie it up at 3-3 after just 47 seconds of action. 

That would be just the start of the back and forth between Alvernia and the Spartans, as the next seven minutes saw four more ties.

A Malik Green 3-pointer at the 12:17 mark in the first half ignited a 9-2 run over 90 seconds to push Alvernia ahead 23-16. All nine of Alvernia's points came off three pointers during the run.

Alvernia's lead lasted just a few minutes as York went on a 9-1 run of its own a couple of minutes later to retake the lead, 29-28, with just under seven minutes remaining in the half.

The back-and-forth continued the rest of the half as the Spartans took a 41-36 lead into the break.

Green started the second half with a 3-pointer as Alvernia outscored the Spartans 10-5 over the opening four minutes of the second frame as Alvernia tied it up at 46-46. 

York retook the lead on a Matt Faller three on its next opportunity, and the Spartans extended their lead to five, 52-47,  just under a minute later on a Mark Rachic three.

Just about 90 seconds later, Avery Walker stole the ball from the Spartans and slammed down a dunk to give Alvernia back the lead, 56-55, with 13:25 to play.

Alvernia held on to a slight lead for just under the next four minutes, but York retook the lead again, 59-58, on a Tristain Kent layup with 9:49 to play. That would turn out to be the last time the Spartans held a lead the rest of the way.

Another dunk by Walker built Alvernia's lead up to seven, 66-59, with just over eight minutes to play. 

York chipped away and got back within one, 68-67, with two minutes to play.

Green's sixth three-pointer of the night put Alvernia up by two possessions, 71-67, with 1:34 to play. 

Mickeel Allen then stole the ball from the Spartans on their ensuing possession and Taylor connected for a driving layup to put the Golden Wolves up by six, 73-67.

The Golden Wolves converted free throws late to come away with the 76-69 win.

Green led all scorers with 27 points and went 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. He also led Alvernia with seven rebounds.

The Golden Wolves have the mid-week bye, but return to action on Saturday to host Stevenson.