Reading, Pa. (Feb. 4, 2023) - Alvernia University (16-6, 10-3) used a 16-2 run late in the second half to overpower Albright College (7-14, 4-9) as the Golden Wolves defeated the Lions 92-78 in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Albright College.
With the win, Alvernia clinched an appearance in the MAC Commonwealth Championship. They currently sit atop the MAC Commonwealth rankings at 10-3 in conference play. The Golden Wolves have also now won five straight against the Lions. The Golden Wolves have also not lost at Albright since February of 2018.
Alvernia and Albright played close for the first 33 minutes of action until Alvernia's run began with 7:33 to play. Alvernia then led by double-digits for the final 5:28 of the game.
The Lions got on the board first with a layup on their first possession. Alvernia answered with a 3-pointer by Malik Green to give the Golden Wolves an early 3-2 advantage.
The Lions retook the lead on a pair of made free throws, but Alvernia again answered, this time on a Robert Mullan layup. Alvernia then pushed its lead to 7-4 on a Keba Mitchell dunk. Just under three minutes later, a Bobby Mullan free throw gave Alvernia the 12-8 advantage, but Albright evened it up 14-14 two minutes later on a Qadir Mitchell layup.
Nigel Cooke gave Alvernia back the lead at 16-14, but the Lions retook the lead on a Jeremiah Stanton three at the midpoint of the half.
The Lions held onto the lead for the next four minutes until a Jakob Kelly free throw evened the game back up at 21-21. A Jacob Stoudt three for Alvernia gave the Golden Wolves a bit of breathing room as Alvernai extended its lead to three, 24-21, with five minutes to play in the half.
The Lions stayed within one possession until a 3-pointer by Kelly gave Alvernia a six point lead, 31-25, with 1:22 to play in the half. The two teams traded free throws in the final 1:22 as the Golden Wolves took a 33-28 lead into the half.
Albright came out of the break on an 8-4 run as Alvernia gave up its lead and the Lions went back on top, 37-36.
The Golden Wolves and Lions traded the lead over the next two and a half minutes until a Mullan 3-pointer evened the game up at 43-43. Mullan then made two free throws on Alvernia's next possession to give the Golden Wolves a 45-43 lead with 15 minutes to play.
The Lions hung within one possession for the next five minutes and evened it back up at 56-56 on a free throw with 10:16 to play.
With Alvernia holding a narrow one point lead, 62-61, with 7:33 to play, Green knocked down a pair of free throws that sparked the 16-2 run for the Golden Wolves over the next three minutes. Green contributed ten points during the run for Alvernia. Mullan also knocked down a three and Malik Slay hit a jumper. The run gave Alvernia a 78-63 advantage with 4:33 to play.
A jumper by Kelly 90 seconds later pushed Alvernia's lead to 16, 83-67, with 3:06 to play. A minute later, a Mullan three gave Alvernia its largest lead of the afternoon, 86-69.
Alvernia coasted to the finish as a pair of dunks by Keba Mitchell in the final 1:18 sealed the win for Alvernia. The final points of the game came on a pair of made free throws by Mullan as Alvernia came away with the 92-78 win.
Both Green and Mullan finished with a team-high 25 points. 22 of Mullan's points came in the second half. Jakob Kelly finished with a 17 point, 12 rebound double-double. Kelly and Mullan both finished with five assists.
The Golden Wolves are back in action on Wednesday as they host Messiah University. Alvernia defeated the Falcons 66-55 in the first meeting of the year.
