Reading, Pa. (Nov. 10, 2023) - Jakob Kelly posted a career-high 28 points and Alvernia University (2-0) used a 55-point second half to power past Penn State Berks (0-2) on Friday night in non-conference men's basketball action at Berks.

The Lions and Golden Wolves faced an early back and forth until Alvernia took a three possession lead, 14-7, just about six minutes into the first half. But, the Lions erased the seven point Alvernia lead and took a 23-20 lead over Alvernia on a 3-pointer with eight minutes to play in the first half.

Alvernia retook the lead, 24-23, with 7:12 to play in the first half on a Jalil Schenck 3-pointer. That 3-pointer by Schenck ignited a 20-5 run by Alvernia over the next nearly six minutes that saw Alvernia take a 40-28 lead over the Lions with 1:54 to play in the half. Jakob Kelly led the run with eight points, and Robert Mullan and Schenck each had six points.

The Lions scored the final four points of the half on made free throws, but Alvernia took the 40-32 lead into the break.

Alvernia built its lead up to 15, 55-40, five minutes into the second half on a Nigel Cooke layup, but the Lions brought it back within single digits on a 3-pointer with 12 minutes to play.

Mullan answered with a layup to build the Alvernia lead back to ten, 62-52, a few seconds later. Alvernia then held Berks to just three points over the next five minutes while Alvernia put up 15 of its own. Kelly contributed six of the 15 during the run as Alvernia pushed its lead to 20, 75-55, with 7:15 to play.

The Golden Wolves cruised from there, pushing its lead higher over the course of the final seven minutes. A Kelly layup with 3:30 to play made it a 29 point game, 89-60, The Lions never threatened the rest of the way as Alvernia improved to 2-0 on the season with the 95-68 win.

Kelly led Alvernia with his career-high 28 points. He finished 11-for-15 from the field and was 6-for-6 from the line. Cooke finished with 16 points and Mullan finished with 14. Schenck finished with 13 points and led Alvernia with eight boards. Kyle Gordon posted five blocks for the second straight game and also added six rebounds.

Alvernia has over a week off before returning to action on Saturday, November 18th at Wilkes.