Gallatin, Tenn. (Dec. 20, 2024) - Alvernia University (7-3) came up short to Ohio Wesleyan University (7-4) on Wednesday as the Golden Wolves fell to the Battling Bishops, 74-66, on Friday afternoon in Alvernia's second and final game of the Nashville Holiday Tournament, hosted at Welch College.

The Golden Wolves and Battling Bishops played a back-and-forth game in the opening ten minutes of the first half. Ohio Wesleyan pulled away briefly and pushed its lead to double-digits before Alvernia closed back in to close out the opening half. The Battling Bishops then took advantage of a slow start by Alvernia to open the second half to regain some distance. The Golden Wolves threatened late, but Ohio Wesleyan was able to hold off Alvernia for the 74-66 win.

How it Happened

• A 3-pointer off the jump from Jacob Stoudt got Alvernia going and gave the Golden Wolves a 3-0 lead in the opening seconds. The Battling Bishops answered with a 3-pointer of their own on their first possession, setting the tone for the early back-and-forth.
• The Golden Wolves and Ohio Wesleyan went bucket for bucket in the opening seven minutes. A 3-pointer from Robert Mullan gave Alvernia a 17-15 lead, but Wesleyan answered right back with a layup and tied it up at 17-17 with 12:44 to play in the half. 
• Alvernia then hit its first scoring drought of the game and Ohio Wesleyan took advantage, out-scoring Alvernia 12-2 over the next seven minutes to take its first double-digit lead, 29-19, of the game with six minutes to play in the half. 
• Another 3-pointer from Mullan reignited Alvernia and sparked a burst for the Golden Wolves to close out the half. Elijah Hamilton and Mullan combined for Alvernia's final 13 points of the half as Alvernia cut it back down to a three point game, 35-32, going into the second half.
• The Golden Wolves opened up the second half with a driving layup from Mullan to pull within one. Mullan then drew a foul following a steal by Jakob Kelly. Mullan made one of his two attempts to tie the game at 35-35 through 1:10 of second half play. But, the Bishops held Alvernia to just three points over the next five and half minutes as Ohio Wesleyan pushed its lead back up to 15, 53-38, with 13:17 to play.
• A quick 10-0 run over the next four minutes that included six points from Kelly brought Alvernia back within five with 9:24 to play, but Alvernia could not quite catch the Bishops.
• The Golden Wolves got within five twice more over the next six minutes, but Ohio Wesleyan again pushed its lead to ten, 66-56, with 3:35 to play. But, Alvernia stayed in the fight. A pair of back-to-back 3-pointers from Janye Stanley and Robert Cottrell brought Alvernia right back within four, 66-62, with 2:49 to play.
• The Bishops regained some distance on an answering 3-pointer with 2:07 to play to make it a seven point game, 69-62, as the game headed into its final two minutes. But, Alvernia was held to just four points over the final two minutes as Ohio Wesleyan pulled away for the last time for the 74-66 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Alvernia had four players reach double-digits, with Elijah Hamilton leading the way with 18. Jakob Kelly had 14, Robert Cottrell had 12, and Robert Mullan finished with11 off the bench.
• Kelly led Alvernia with eight rebounds, and Mullan had a team-high five assists.

Up Next

• Alvernia has off for the holidays and will return to action at home on December 28th with a 3:00 PM matchup against Notre Dame of Maryland.