York, Pa. (Jan. 3, 2024) - Alvernia University completed an overtime comeback to open up MAC Commonwealth play with an 83-76 win over York College on Wednesday night in Men's Basketball action at York.

Alvernia trailed at the half before coming back in the second frame to tie things up and then take the lead. But, the Spartans came back and forced overtime in the first game of the MAC Commonwealth schedule. Alvernia took the lead late in overtime and then made nine free throws to seal the win.

With the win, Alvernia improves to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Spartans drop to 7-5 and are 0-1 in MAC Commonwealth play.
 
How it Happened

• The Spartans jumped out to a 10-3 lead through four minutes of action, but a 3-pointer from Robert Mullan cut the Spartans early lead in half. Alvernia then tied it up at 10-10 following another Mullan three and a putback layup by Kyle Gordon.
• After both teams struggled to find a rhythm for the next five minutes, York took a 19-14 on a 3-point play as the first half hit the midpoint.
• York kept it rolling and made it a ten point game, 24-14, with 8:49 to play before layups from Malik Slay, Nigel Cooke, and Alex Cercado brought Alvernia within four, 24-20, with 6:39 to play in the half.
• After York built its lead back to six, Alvernia again cut it down to a two point game, 30-28, on a 3-pointer from Mullan with 3:33 to play in the first half.
• After a trading of baskets, York scored the final three points of the half to take a 35-30 lead into the break.
• Both teams went combined for just one point through the first nearly four minutes of the second half until a Jakob Kelly layup brought the Golden Wolves within two, 35-33, with 16:19 on the clock.
• Alvernia stayed within one possession until tying the game at 41-41 on a Jameel Burton jumper with 13 minutes to play in regulation.
• The Spartants retook the lead twice before Alvernia tied the game at 55-55 on a Mullan layup off a Cooke steal with 6:10 to play. The Golden Wolves then took a 57-55 lead on a Slay layup with 5:10 to play.
• The Golden Wolves held the lead for the next nearly five minutes, but the Spartans were able to tie it at 64-64 on a pair of made free throws with 23 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
• A 3-pointer from Jelly on the first possession for Alvernia got things rolling for the Golden Wolves in extra time, but the Spartans answered with a three of their own on the next possession.
• The Sparatns then took the lead, 69-67, with 3:33 to play before Alvernia took it back on another Kelly 3-pointer on the next possession.
• The game tied twice more before Cooke hit a go-ahead layup with 1:53 to play in OT to give Alvernia the 74-72 advantage.
• Alvernia then made nine free throws to close the game out and come away with the 83-76 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Mullan led Alvernia with 19 points off of 6-for-17 shooting. He also had six boards and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line. His 19 points match his season-high.
• Kelly finished with 16 points and Cooke added 15. Slay led the bench with 14 points.
• Kyle Gordon finished with a team-high 12 rebounds and also had three blocks and six points.
• Kai Cipalla led the Spartans with 23 points. He finished the first half with 17 points and Alvernia held him scoreless through the second half until overtime.

Of Note

• Alvernia shot 43.3% on the night and was 6-for-18 from 3-point range.
• Alvernia forced 15 turnovers by the Spartan and scored 12 points off of turnovers. 
• Alvernia has now won eight straight against the Spartans. 
• Tonight's win marked Head Coach Mike Miller Jr.'s first win in conference play. 

Up Next

• Alvernia will host Albright College in the second game of a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader with the women on Saturday. The Lions are coming off a narrow 66-65 win over Messiah earlier this evening. The Lions are 8-4 overall on the season.
• Alvernia holds a 26-19 record over Albright through 45 matchups. The Golden Wolves have won five straight against the Lions.