Reading, Pa. (Jan. 29, 2022) - After being locked up at 45-45 at the half, Alvernia University (12-5, 6-4) put up 50 points in the second half and outscored Stevenson University (9-8, 5-6) by 20 as the Golden Wolves came away with a 95-75 win over the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Alvernia. 

Following the opening 20 minutes of action with the game tied at 45, the Golden Wolves and Mustangs seemed to be trending in the same direction as the first meeting of the two that went to triple overtime back in December with the Mustangs coming out on top. But, Alvernia showed no signs of letting that happen again in the second half as the Golden Wolves outscored the Mustangs by 20 while shooting 52.6% from the field.

The opening minutes featured an early back and forth between the Golden Wolves and Mustangs. Alvernia's Mickeel Allen scored the opening points -  a layup off the tip - to give Alvernia a quick 2-0 lead.

The Mustangs responded with a quick three to go up, 3-2 , but Keon Taylor answered with a layup to put Alvernia back in front, 4-3, early on.

The back-and-forth continued, and a 3-pointer by Avery Walker gave Alvernia the 14-11 with 14:49 to play in the first half.

Neither team was able to gain ground for the next five minutes, but a 3-pointer from Jacob Stoudt with 9:25 left in the half gave Alvernia its largest lead thus far, 24-19. 

The Alvernia lead would not last long as a quick 6-0 run by the Mustangs saw Stevenson go back in front, 25-24, with 7:33 to play in the first.

A jumper by Stoudt with 6:22 left in the first half put Alvernia back up by one, 28-27, and sparked a 7-0 run that saw the lead swing back in Alvernia's direction. The Golden Wolves held a five point advantage, 34-29, with just under five minutes to play in the first.

Alvernia's lead lasted just about two and a half minutes before the Mustangs retook it, 40-39, off a 3-pointer from Khalil Richard.

The back and forth continued for the rest of the half as the game saw a 45-45 tie going into the break. 

Jakob Kelly opened the Alvernia scoring in the second half with a jumper, but the Mustangs quickly evened it at 47-47.

Alvernia held a one possession advantage for the next few minutes until a Kelly layup put Alvernia up by five, 54-49, with 15:27 to play.

Alvernia kept its foot on the gas and four minutes later a Kelly layup gave Alvernia a ten point advantage, 66-56. A Kelly three on Alvernia's next possession gave the Golden Wolves a 13 point lead, 69-56.

The Mustangs struggled to get any closer, but Alvernia didn't gain any more ground until there was just under four minutes remaining in the game. A Keon Taylor jumper put Alvernia up by 14, 85-71, and two made free throws by Rece Harman made it a 16 point game.

Avery Walker then knocked down a three with 2:38 remaining to put Alvernia up 19, 90-71, and a free throw by Malik Green gave Alvernia the late 20 point advantage, 91-71.

The Golden Wolves subbed in the bench and Luke Edwards and Justin Ramsey-Blythe scored Alvernia's final four points as the Golden Wolves came away with the 95-71 win. 

Kelly led Alvernia with 25 points to match his career-high. He also added eight rebounds. Green finished with a 19 point, ten rebound double-double.

The Golden Wolves return to action on Wednesday hosting Eastern University.