La Plume, Pa. (Dec. 14, 2024) - Alvernia University (6-2) outscored Keystone University (4-6) 22-4 in the final five minutes as the Golden Wolves defeated the Giants, 81-69, on Saturday afternoon in non-conference men's basketball action at Keystone.

Alvernia trailed Keystone by six points, 65-59, with 5:20 to play. But, a Robert Cottrell 3-pointer sparked the late push for Alvernia and ignited a 22-4 run to close out the game. With the win, Alvernia improved to 6-2 on the season.

How it Happened

• The Giants led 5-0 early, but a Jacob Stoudt 3-pointer got the Golden Wolves on the board. 
• The Giants led by at least two possessions for much of the first half, but layups from Janye Stanley and Cottrell with about five minutes to play in the first half brought Alvernia within two, 26-24, for the first time since the opening minutes of the game.
• The Golden Wolves then took their first lead of the game on a Kareem Diaz 3-pointer with 4:17 to play in the half. Diaz's 3-pointer sparked a 12-4 run for the Golden Wolves to close out the half and give Alvernia the 36-30 lead going into the break. Diaz led Alvernia with six points during the run.
• Alvernia and Keystone traded points to open the second half, but the Giants closed the gap down to one possession - 40-37 - five minutes into the half. However, layups from Cottrell, Elijah Hamilton, and Diaz gave Alvernia some breathing room over the next minute to push Alvernia's lead up to nine, 46-37.
• Alvernia hit a drought as the half approached and surpassed its midpoint, and the Giants took advantage. The Giants went on an 11-0 over a two and a half minute stretch to take a 57-51 lead with 8:06 to play.
• Back-to-back 3-pointers from Stanley and Stoudt got Alvernia back on track and tied the game at 57-57 with 7:26 to play.
• After a trading of points, the Giants pushed their lead back to six, 65-59, with 5:21 to play. But, a Cottrell 3-pointer brought Alvernia back within a possession and sparked a massive 22-4 closing run for Alvernia.
• A layup from Stanley brought Alvernia within one, 65-64, and a Cottrell layup with an and-one free throw gave Alvernia the 67-65 lead. 
• Keystone tied it at 67-67, and Alvernia and the Giants traded free throws over the next minute. But, Alvernia began to pull away again with another Cottrell layup. 
• A Diaz 3-pointer and pair of made free throws from Cottrell gave Alvernia the 76-69 lead going into the final minute. As Alvernia continued to hold the Giants scoreless in the final minute, an absolute throw-down of a dunk from Diaz put the game out of reach for the Giants with 33 seconds to play. 
• Alvernia got a couple of more points off of free throws to come away with the 81-69 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Robert Cottrell led Alvernia with 19 points and dished out a team-high nine assists.
• Janye Stanley finished with a 17 point, 13 rebound double-double.
• Jakob Kelly finished with 10 points and a team-high three steals.

Up Next

• Alvernia heads to Nashville next week for a holiday tournament in the Music City. The Golden Wolves will face off against Spalding University and Ohio Wesleyan on Thursday and Friday, respectively.