Alvernia University Athletics

Lancaster, Pa. (Nov. 11, 2022) - Alvernia University (1-1) fell to Hampden-Sydney (1-1) 79-62 on Friday night in the opening game of the Franklin and Marshall Men's Basketball tip-off tournament.

The Tigers led wire-to-wire and by as much as 28 points.

Alvernia came out of the gate slow as the Golden Wolves were held to just five points in the opening six and a half minutes while Hampden-Sydney tallied 13. 

The Golden Wolves started to chip away in the final 11 minutes of the half, starting with a layup by Robert Mullan with 10:44 to play to cut the Tiger lead down to seven, 14-7.

The Tigers then went on a 6-0 run to go back up double digits, 20-7, over the next two minutes, with all points coming off of made free throws for the Tigers.

Alvernia responded with Nigel Cooke draining a jumper to end the run. But, the Tigers then added two more free throws to stay up by 13, 22-9, with 6:41 to play in the half.

Alvernia and Hampden-Sydney traded baskets over the next four minutes until a jumper and two made free throws by Cooke got Alvernia going again. The Golden Wolves cut the Tiger lead down to as little as seven, 30-23, with less than a minute to go in the half, but Hampden-Sydney hit a late three to take a double digit, 33-23, lead into half.

The Golden Wolves had a quick burst to get back into it early in the second half with a 3-pointer by Mullan and jumper by Jakob Kelly getting Alvernia within six, 38-32, with 17:24 to play.

Alvernia would not get any closer though as the Tigers went on 25-3 run over the next seven minutes to balloon their lead to 63-35 with just under ten minutes to play in the half. 

Alvernia responded with an 11-0 run that included 3-pointers by Malik Green and Jacob Stoudt. The 11-0 run got Alvernia within 17, 63-46, with six minutes to play. 

The Golden Wolves could not get any closer as Hampden-Sydney maintained the 17 point lead the rest of the way for the 79-62 final. 

Green led the Golden Wolves with 13 points and six boards. Jalil Schenck finished with 11 points off the bench while Cooke finished with 10. 

Alvernia is back at F&M tomorrow for the consolation final. The Golden Wolves will face the loser of Franklin and Marshall vs. Cairn at 5 PM on Saturday.