Reading, Pa. (Feb. 8, 2023) - Alvernia University (17-6, 11-3) used a strong first half and held off a late push by Messiah University (9-13, 4-9) to take a 77-69 win over the Falcons on Wednesday night in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Alvernia.

Alvernia led by 13 at the half and pushed its lead to 20, 55-35, with 12 minutes to play. The Falcons battled back and had several opportunities to cut it to a one possession game late. But, Alvernia was able to hold off the push and come away with the 77-69 win.

With the win, Alvernia continues to sit atop the MAC Commonwealth standings with two games to play for the Golden Wolves. Alvernia sits at 11-3 and the second place Widener Pride are at 9-4. The Golden Wolves have a bye next Wednesday, so the Pride still have three games to play.

The Falcons jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first 90 seconds, but Alvernia got on the board with a Malik Green three about two minutes into the action.

The Falcons held the lead for the next three and a half minutes until Alvernia evened it up at 8-8 on a layup and and-one free throw by Jakob Kelly. The Golden Wolves then took the lead for the first time on a layup from Green off a steal by Kelly.

The Falcons tied it back up once more at 10-10 on their next possession before Alvernia retook the lead on a jumper by Green. That Green jumper sparked a 20-4 run for Alvernia that spanned the next nine minutes. Green finished the run with six points and Jalil Schenck also added six points with back-to-back threes. Nigel Cooke capped the run with a 3-pointer to make it a 30-14 game with 4:54 to play in the opening half.

The Falcons got two back on a layup from Tyler Penley, but Alvernia tacked on three more on a Jakob Kelly three off the kickout offensive rebound by Keba Mitchell.

The Golden Wolves and Falcons traded points through the remainder of the quarter as Alvernia took the 38-25 lead into the break.

Alvernia finished the first half with five made threes to Messiah's one. The Falcons were held to 9-for-33 shooting in the first half - including 1-for-9 shooting from beyond the arc.

A layup from Cooke opened the second half and pushed Alvernia's lead to 15, 40-25. But, both teams struggled to find their rhythm and combined for just ten points in the first five minutes of action.

A 3-pointer from Schenck got Alvernia going and Cooke followed that with one of his own to make it a 19 point game, 50-31, with 13:21 to play.

The Falcons hit back-to-back jumpers to get back within 15, but Alvernia responded with another Schenck three and a jumper from Kelly to push Alvernia's lead to its largest of the night, 55-35, with 11:58 to play. 

Messiah did not allow Alvernia to get comfortable, though, as the Falcons went on a 20-8 run over the next six and a half minutes to get right back within eight, 63-55, with 5:23 to play.

A pair of made free throws and a layup from Malik Green pushed Alvernia's lead back to double-digits, 67-55, with 3:35 to play.

The Falcons got back within eight twice more and made it a six-point game, 73-67, with 1:08 to play on an Arkese Claiborne layup. The Falcons had three looks at a 3-point shot over the next 30 seconds, but the Falcons could not get one to fall as Alvernia's lead remained two possessions with 30 seconds to play.

Both Cooke and Kelly made pairs of free throws to keep the Falcons at bay as Alvernia held on for the 77-69 victory.

Cooke led all scorers with 24 points. He also added five rebounds and five assists, and was 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Green finished with a 22 point, 11 rebound double-double. Kelly had 18 points with seven boards, and Schenck was 4-for-7 from 3-point range with 12 points.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday hosting Lebanon Valley for its home regular season finale.