Huntingdon, Pa. (March 10, 2024) - Alvernia University's (18-11) second half comeback fell short as Juniata College (17-11) defeated the Golden Wolves, 83-77, in the ECAC Men's Basketball Championship on Sunday afternoon at Juniata. 

The Eagles led by eight at the half and by as much as 16 with 11 minutes to play in the second half. Alvernia cut it within one point with four minutes to play. But, Alvernia could never fully catch the Eagles as Juniata came away with the 2024 ECAC Men's Basketball title. 

How it Happened

• Alvernia was held to just five points through the first five and a half minutes of action as Juniata took an early 11-5 lead. 
• Alvernia then found a bit of a rhythm over the next four and a half minutes and went on a 12-6 run to tie the game up at 17-17 following a Jameel Burton Jr. 3-pointer for the Golden Wolves.
• The Eagles retook the lead, 20-17, with 8:52 to play and pushed their lead to eight, 31-23, with 6:38 to play in the first half. But, Alvernia cut it back within one, 31-30, on a Jakob Kelly 3-pointer with 4:27 to play in the half. Alvernia did not get closer than that the rest of the half as Juniata took a 44-36 lead into the half.
• Alvernia took over four minutes to score its first points of the second half as Juniata built its lead up to 14, 50-36. Alvernia got on the board for the half on a putback layup by Kyle Gordon to make it a 50-38 game, but Juniata retook the 14 point lead, 52-38, on its next possession.
• Juniata kept it rolling and led by 16, 62-46, with 11:24 to play.
• A 3-pointer by Jacob Stoudt sparked some life into Alvernia to make it a 62-49 game with 11 minutes to play. The Golden Wolves closed in on the Eagles over the next seven minutes, and a Nigel Cooke 3-pointer with four minutes to play made it a one point game 70-69.
• Juniata responded with a layup on its next possession and held Alvernia off from there. The Golden Wolves got within two three times, but could never fully close the game as Juniata came away with the 83-77 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Nigel Cooke and Jakob Kelly each finished with a team-high 21 points. 
• Jacob Stoudt came off the bench and finished with 18 points, including going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.
• Kyle Gordon had a team-high 13 rebounds.

Of Note

• Alvernia book-ended its 2023-24 season with Juniata. The Golden Wolves opened up the year with a 66-48 win over the Eagles at home on November 8th.