Newark, N.J. (Mar. 4, 2022)- Top-ranked Alvernia University (18-8) fell to #9 William Paterson (14-12) 88-85 as a late comeback attempt fell short in the ECAC Quarterfinal hosted at Rutgers-Newark on Friday.
 
The Pioneers opened the scoring early, knocking down a layup to get the game going. The Golden Wolves responded quickly, with Malik Green netting a three-pointer off an assist from Keon Taylor.
 
Both teams traded baskets over the next few minutes, with Taylor, Mickeel Allen, and Avery Walker joining the scoring column. After three minutes, Alvernia held a slim one-point lead over William Paterson.
 
The Pioneers used a six-point run to jump back in front of the Golden Wolves, taking a 14-9 lead with 15:53 left in the first half. Despite the run, Alvernia showed resiliency, with Taylor and Jakob Kelly sparking a 10-0 run.
 
As the half progressed, both sides battled to gain momentum. The Golden Wolves fought hard to maintain their narrow lead over the Pioneers, as Steve Pierce recorded three quick points late.
 
William Paterson's offense came alive late, recording 11 points over the final five minutes. 39-34 was the score at the end of the first half, with the Pioneers leading the Golden Wolves. 
 
William Paterson opened the scoring in the second half, recording a layup to kick things off. Kelly knocked down a three in response, cutting the deficit to four points.
 
The Golden Wolves continued to apply pressure, despite being down. Kelly and Allen helped spark the Alvernia offense midway through the second half, bringing the Pioneer's lead to just two.
 
William Paterson's offense quickly responded, testing Alvernia and coming to life halfway through the second stanza. The Pioneers' offense used an 11-2 run to take an 11-point lead with 12:58 left in the contest. Stoudt finally ended the drought, knocking down a three and bringing the score back within single digits.
 
William Paterson responded with a three of its own before Green provided a five-point swing with a dunk and a three-pointer. Despite the effort, the Pioneers did not wait long to build their lead back up, taking a 12-point lead with 6:18 left in the contest.
 
Walker gave the Alvernia offense life, netting a three with 3:51 left in the contest. But the William Paterson offense kept pushing, building its lead back up to 12, making the score 79-67 with just 2:46 left in the second stanza.
 
Alvernia's offense received another boost from Walker, as he knocked down a jumper and a layup on a fastbreak opportunity. Both teams battled back and forth over the next minute, with the Pioneers holding a ten-point lead with 1:10 left in the game.
 
The Golden Wolves showed perseverance despite the deficit, with Taylor netting a three with 54 seconds to play. Green recorded a steal just seconds later before being fouled and netting two free throws at the charity stripe.
 
With the lead shaved to just five, William Paterson tallied a pair of free throws with 42 seconds left. Alvernia continued to push, with Kelly getting fouled on a three-point attempt and netting three free throws for the Golden Wolves.
 
Green recorded a jumper just ten seconds later, cutting the deficit to just two points with three seconds left in the contest. The Pioneers went one for two at the line, leaving the door open for a possible buzzer-beating shot by Alvernia. However, Kelly's shot bounced off the left side of the rim, as the Golden Wolves fell just short of the Pioneers.
 
William Paterson ended the contest on top of Alvernia, 88-85.
 
Kelly led the Golden Wolves with 20 points, as well as eight boards, three blocks, and three assists. Green tallied 19 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists, while Walker ended the game with 13 points and four rebounds.
 
With this loss to the Pioneers, the Golden Wolves season is officially over. Alvernia finished the year 18-8 overall and 11-5 in the conference. Taylor and Green also became the newest members of Alvernia's 1,000 point club.