Owings Mills, Md. (Jan. 20, 2024) - Alvernia University used a 22-1 run in the first half to build a nine-point halftime lead and ultimately take an 87-71 win over Stevenson University on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Stevenson.

The Golden Wolves were trailing the Mustangs by four prior to the run, But, Alvernia quickly retook the lead and never let go as the Golden Wolves rode that run all the way to the finish line for the 87-71 win.

With the win, Alvernia improved to 12-5 overall and 4-2 in MAC Commonwealth play. The Mustangs dropped to 7-10 overall and 1-5 in conference action.

How it Happened

• Both teams struggled to get into a rhythm early, with each only scoring two through the first three and a half minutes of action. Alvernia's lone two points came off a putback layup from Kyle Gordon.
• Alvernia trailed by four, 12-8, with 11:41 to play in the half. But, a free throw from Kegan Hertz and a 3-pointer from Malik Slay evened the game up at 12-12 with 10:22 to play in the half and sparked a 22-1 run for the Golden Wolves over the next five and a half minutes. Hertz scored nine to lead Alvernia during the run, and five other Golden Wolves contributed to give Alvernia the 30-13 lead with 5:48 to play in the half.
• The Mustangs regained their footing and outscored Alvernia 15-7 in the final five minutes of the half, but Alvernia took the 37-28 advantage into the second half.
• The Mustangs brought it within six, 40-34, after scoring six of the first nine points of the second half. But, a Nigel Cooke 3-pointer got Alvernia rolling in the second half and a Gordon layup gave Alvernia the double-digit lead, 45-34, with 17:25 to play.
• A few minutes later, Alvernia pushed it lead 14, 52-38, with seven straight points from Hertz. Back to-back 3-pointer  from Malik Slay and Cooke then made it a 20 point game, 58-38, with 14:19 to play.
• Alvernia never let the Mustangs back into it. The Golden Wolves took a 24 point lead - their largest lead of the afternoon - on an alley-oop by Gordon with 7:40 to play.
• The Golden Wolves held at least a 15 point lead the rest of the way as Alvernia came away with the 87-71 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Hertz led Alvernia with 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting. Robert Mullan finished with 19 and Cooke had 15. Cooke also led Alvernia with five assist.
• Gordon finished with a 10 point, 11 rebound double-double.
• Kamau Mitchell finished as the leading scorer for the Mustangs with 21 points.

Of Note

• All five of Alvernia's starters reached double-digit scoring. Hertz led the starters efforts with a season-high 21 points.
• Alvernia shot 54% in the second half and was 64% from beyond the arc in the second half. Alvernia held the Mustangs to 24% 3-point shooting, including 10% in the second half.
• Alvernia has now won four straight against the Mustangs and has won six of the last seven at Stevenson.

Up Next

• Alvernia closes out its first rotation of the MAC Commonwealth schedule on Wednesday at Hood. Hood, who ranked #21 in the last national ranking, will enter Wednesday looking to rebound from its first conference loss of the season on Saturday to Hood.