York, Pa. (Dec. 14, 2022) - Alvernia University (6-2, 2-1) held off a second half push by York College (2-6, 0-4) to come away with a 63-58 win over the Spartans on Wednesday night in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at York.

The win marked the 300th of Head Coach Mike Miller's career. Miller, who is in his 19th season at the helm, is now 300-171 all time.

Alvernia held as much as a 17 point lead in the first half, and led by 14 at the break. The Golden Wolves were then outscored 34-25 in the second half, but were able to hold off the late Spartan charge to come away with the win. 

The Golden Wolves jumped out to a quick 6-0 start with field goals from Robert Mullan, Malik Green, and Keba Mitchell. The Spartans got on the board with a 3-pointer from Jayden Rowe after just under two minutes of action, making it a 6-3 game.

The Spartans hung within four points of the Golden Wolves for the next six minutes until Nigel Cooke hit a layup and Jalil Schenck knocked down a three off the feed of Cooke to make it a 19-10 game in favor of the Golden Wolves with 11:25 to play in the first half.

Schenck's three sparked a 12-4 run for Alvernia that saw the Golden Wolves push their lead to 31-14 with eight minutes to play in the half. The run included another three from Schenck, two 3-pointers from Mullan, and a three off the hands of Malik Slay. 

The Spartans got within 11, 35-24, with 2:09 to play in the half after they converted a layup and and-one free throw.

Alvernia scored the final three points of the half - all from Green - to take the 38-24 lead into the break.

Alvernia's shooting was on point in the first 20 minutes of action. Mullan finished the first half a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Schenck was 2-for-2 overall, with both shots coming from three point range. Alvernia was 15-for-29 overall and 6-for-11 from beyond the arc through the first half. 

After the Spartans scored the opening points of the second half, Alvernia extended its lead to 16 points following back-to-back field goals by Green and Cooke. 

Three layups on the next three Spartan possessions allowed York to get within 11, 44-33, with 15:30 to play. But, a jumper by Malik Slay off an offensive board by Kyle Gordon put Alvernia back up by 13, 46-33. 

The Spartans got within single digits over the next four minutes, but a driving layup and converted and-one opportunity by Schenck put Alvernia back up by double-digits, 52-40, at the midpoint of the second half.

Three minutes later, Alvernia's lead was back up to 15 points, 60-45, following a Cooke layup and two made free throws by Slay. But, Cooke's layup would mark Alvernia's final field goal of the game as the Golden wolves relied on free throws and defense the rest of the way. 

The Spartans took advantage of the Golden Wolves going cold, and worked their way within three, 61-58, in the final minute of action. Both Green and Slay combined for two made free throws to make it a two possession game as the clock ticked away. Mitchell then sealed the win for Alvernia with a massive block on the final possession by the Spartans as Alvernia picked up its second MAC Commonwealth win of the season, and Coach Miller picked up #300. 

Five different players finished in double-digit scoring for Alvernia. Cooke and Schenck each finished with 13 points. Cooke also had seven boards and five assists. Green finished with a team high eight rebounds.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday as the Golden Wolves host rival Albright College at 3:00 PM.