Frederick, Md. (Feb. 18, 2023) - Alvernia University (18-7, 12-4) dropped its regular season finale on Saturday to Hood College (16-9, 10-6) as the Blazers defeated the Golden Wolves by an 80-68 a decision at Hood in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action.

Despite the loss, Alvernia locked up the top seed heading into the MAC Commonwealth Championship. Alvernia got help from York College, who defeated Widener University on Saturday. The Spartans win kept the Pride from jumping Alvernia in conference standings. Alvernia will now play the winner of the 5 vs. 4 play in game that features the Spartans as the five seed and Eastern University as the four.

Alvernia last won the regular season three times since entering the MAC Commonwealth. Alvernia has gone on to win the MAC Commonwealth Championship two of those three times.

The Blazers opened the scoring with a 3-pointer on their first possession following an Alvernia turnover off the tip. But, the Golden Wolves responded with a layup from Nigel Cooke followed by a 3-pointer, also from Cooke. 

The Blazers matched Cooke's rebound with one of their own, but Alvernia retook the lead, 8-6, after Robert Mullan got in on the 3-point contest. The back and forth continued, as the Blazers retook the lead on a layup and a pair of made free throws. But, Alvernia took it right back on a Jalil Schenck jumper and jumper from Malik Green as the Golden Wolves led by one, 13-12, with 12:44 to go in the opening half.

The two teams continued to trade the lead, and Alvernia led by two, 25-23, following a Green jumper with 6:20 to go in the half. But, the Blazers went on a quick 8-0 run to take their largest lead of the game so far, 31-25.

Alvernia was held to just four points in the final four minutes of the half - all four off the hands of Green - as the Blazers took a 36-32 lead into the half.

Alvernia opened the second half with a 3-pointer by Robert Mullan to bring the Golden Wolves within one, 36-35. Two minutes later, Alvernia evened it up at 39-39 on a Green jumper, and Alvernia stayed within a possession with 15 minutes to play following a Green three. But, the Blazers then went on a 15-0 run over the next five minutes to put some distance between themselves and the Golden Wolves as Hood led 59-44 with 10:25 to play.

The Golden Wolves put an end to the 15-0 run with a field goal from Green, and got back within seven, 62-55, two minutes later with back-to-back jumpers from Jakob Kelly with 7:55 to play. But, Alvernia never got any closer as the Blazers pushed it back to a 12 point lead, 70-58, with five minutes to play. The Blazers kept Alvernia at bay the rest of the way as they came away the 80-68 win.

Green led Alvernia with 26 points and nine rebounds. Mullan finished with 11 points.

Alvernia is back in action on Wednesday for its semifinal matchup and await the result of the #5 York vs. #4 Eastern game on Monday.