Reading, Pa. (Jan. 21, 2023) - In a game that saw six ties and 13 lead changes, Alvernia University (13-5, 7-2) came out on top as the Golden Wolves edged Stevenson University (11-7, 5-4) 77-71 on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Alvernia. 

The Mustangs led 10-4 after five minutes of action, but a 3-pointer by Jakob Kelly put the Golden Wolves right back within three, 10-7. The Mustangs responded with a layup to push the lead back to five, 12-7, with just under 15 minutes to play in the opening frame.

Alvernia and Stevenson continued to trade baskets for the next five minutes until a layup by Malik Green brought Alvernia within three, 24-21, at the midway point of the half. But, a converted four-point play by the Mustangs pushed their lead back up to seven, 28-21, on the next possession.

The Golden Wolves stayed within two possessions for the next three minutes. A putback layup by Mickeel Allen and a layup from Green brought Alvernia within one, 32-31, with 6:30 to play in the half. Malik Slay then knocked down a jumper to give Alvernia its first lead of the game, 33-32, with 6:07 to play in the half.

The GOlden Wolves and Mustangs traded the lead over the next five minutes until Robert Mullan converted a driving layup and made the and-one free throw in the final 1:15 to give Alvernia a three point advantage, 41-38, going into the half. 

The Mustangs scored the opening four points of the half to retake the lead, 42-41. Alvernia answered right back with a Kelly layup and Mullan three to retake the lead at 46-42 with 17 minutes to go.

After both teams went scoreless for two minutes, Alvernia pushed its lead to seven points, 51-47, on a Kelly layup with 14 minutes to play.

With Alvernia leading by six, 55-49, with 10:55 to play, the Mustangs went on a quick 8-0 burst over the next two minutes to retake the lead at 57-55 with 8:45 to play.

The Golden Wolves retook the lead on a Slay jumper and pushed it back to two possessions, 61-47, on a Nigel Cooke three with 7:45 to play.

The two teams tied it up three more times in the next three minutes, and two made free throws by the Mustangs gave Stevenson back the lead at 69-67 with 4:20 to play.

A corner three by Cooke off the assist of Green gave Alvernia back the lead, 70-69, with 2:54 to play. Alvernia would hold onto the lead the rest of the way.

The Mustangs were forced to start fouling, and Alvernia converted five attempts to keep the Mustangs out of reach and secure the 77-71 Alvernia win.

Kelly led Alvernia with 22 points and eight boards. Cooke finished with 16 points and five rebounds, and Mullan tallied 11 points.

With the win, Alvernia sits atop MAC Commonwealth standings at 7-2. The Golden Wolves are back in action on Wednesday with a crucial game at Widener. The Pride picked up a win over Alvernia in the first round of MAC Commonwealth play.