Reading, Pa. (Feb. 25, 2023) - #1 Alvernia University (19-8, 12-4) dropped a heart-breaker to #2 Widener University (19-8, 11-5) as the Pride defeated the Golden Wolves, 74-69, on Saturday night in the MAC Commonwealth Men's Basketball Championship at Alvernia. 

After Alvernia led by 12 midway through the first half, but Alvernia led by just two at the half. Alvernia saw that lead vanish in the second half as the Pride swung the lead into their favor and led by two possessions for much of the final ten minutes. The Golden Wolves got within one possession as the game came down to the wire, but the Pride made crucial foul shots to secure the 74-69 win.

Back-to-back field goals from Keba Mitchell opened the scoring for Alvernia for the early 4-0 lead. The Golden Wolves drove it up to a six point lead, 10-4, on a Robert Mullan layup. The Golden Wolves pushed it to eight points on a Nigel Cooke jumper. A 3-pointer and two made free throws from Mullan made it an 11 point game, 17-6, with 10:49 to play in the half.

Alvernia then took its largest lead of the game, 20-8, with 9:35 on a Mullan three.

The Pride then went on a quick 6-0 run to cut it to a six point game, 20-14. Alvernia's scoring slowed and the Pride took advantage, cutting it to a three point game, 22-19, with 5:49 to play in the first half.

A layup from Cooke with 2:34 to play gave Alvernia back its six point lead, 33-27, but it would end up being Alvernia's final points of the half as the Pride got within two, 33-31, going into the half.

The Pride opened the second half scoring to even the game up at 33-33, and then took the 35-33 lead with 16:19 to play in the half. Alvernia evened it up at 35-35 on a Malik Green layup. The two teams evened it up four more times over the next six minutes. A Kenny Lewis layup for Widener with 10:35 to play gave the Pride a 48-47 lead, and the Pride worked it up to a six point lead, 55-49, with 9:11 to play.

Alvernia got back within four, 55-51, on a Mitchell dunk. Two minutes later, Alvernia made it a two point game, 57-55, on a Mullan jumper with 7:20 to play.

The Pride again swung it back to a six point game, 64-58, on a Steven Matlack jumper with 5:23 to play. 

Alvernia was held to just free throws for the next four minutes, but the Golden Wolves converted seven attempts to get within four, 69-65, with a minute to play. Jakob Kelly then hit a jumper with 46 seconds to go to make it a two point game, 69-67.

Alvernia then began following the Pride, and Widener converted five free throws to secure the 74-69 win and take home the championship title. 

Mullan led Alvernia with 21 points. Mitchell with nine points and 11 rebounds. 

Alvernia will await a potential championship berth on Monday.