Reading, PA (December 4, 2024) - Alvernia University (4-2) fell in an overtime thriller to the Gwynedd Mercy Griffins (6-0) in a non-conference matchup Wednesday night on Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court.  
 
Despite an 11-point lead at halftime, the Griffins offense soared back and outscored the Golden Wolves 41-30 in the second half to send it to overtime. The Griffins then outscored Alvernia 10-9 in overtime to take the 91-90 win. Alvernia first-year Elijah Hamilton led Alvernia with a career night performance of 32 points and 21 rebounds in the loss.  
 
How it Happened 

• After a scoreless two minutes, Robert Cottrell opened the scoring for the Golden Wolves with a fadeaway jump shot that led to a 6-0 run, forcing Gwynedd Mercy to burn an early timeout. 
• Shortly after the timeout, the Griffins broke the Golden Wolves' run and scored a quick four points after a forced turnover after a full-court press. 
• Back-to-back threes from Jacob Stoudt and Kareem Diaz put the Golden Wolves back ahead by eight points.  
• A steal from Robert Cotrell amid a 9-4 run put the Golden Wolves up on the Griffins, 21-8, with thirteen minutes left in the first half.  
• A strong zone defense from the Griffins cut the Golden Wolves lead down to nine, but it was Elijah Hamilton who hit a deep three to extend the lead back to double digits with eight minutes left in the half.  
• The Golden Wolves continued to get it done on both sides of the ball and went on another 9-4 run to take an 18-point lead with four minutes left to play in the half.  
• The Griffins cut the lead to eleven going into the half. Elijah Hamilton finished the half perfect from the field with 17 points and eight rebounds. 
• After a slow start to the half, Gwynedd Mercy's Aquil Stewart hit back-to-back threes for the Griffins to cut the Golden Wolves' lead down to four early in the second half. Just a few minutes later Justin Savage of the Griffins scored five unanswered points to tie the game at 60.  
• The Griffins went on a 27-7 run early in the second half that led to their first lead of the game, 62-60,  with just eleven minutes to go.  
• Alvernia kept it close throughout the remainder of the half and regained the lead with buckets from Elijah Hamilton and Janye Stanley that put Alvernia up 81-77.  
• The Griffins scored four unanswered and tied it up with five seconds left to force overtime.  
• Robert Cottrell got the Golden Wolves out to a 83-81 lead in overtime, but the Griffins stormed back and went on a 5-2 run to take a three-point lead that they held on to get the win over the Golden Wolves.  

Inside the Box Score 

• Elijah Hamilton led the way for the Golden Wolves with a career-high 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Hamilton went 12-16 from the floor and 7-7 from the free throw line. His 21 rebounds ties the program record for rebounds recorded in a single game, the fifth player, and most recent since Malik Greene in 2023, to achieve this accolade.  
• Janye Stanley followed with 20 points and 11 rebounds and two blocks.  
• Jakob Kelly also scored in the double digits with 15 points and also gathered nine rebounds.  
• The Golden Wolves shot 43% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc, but shot just 30% from the floor and did not hit a three in the second half. 

Up Next 

• The Golden Wolves are back at it on Saturday, December 7 in Dallas PA where they take on the Misericordia Cougars.