Reading, Pa. (Feb. 15, 2025) - After trailing at the half, Alvernia University (15-8, 7-5) used a 51-point second half to take a big 83-77 win over Widener University (5-7, 7-16) on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court.

The Golden Wolves trailed by eight at the half, 40-32. Both teams traded the lead throughout the second half before Alvernia began to pull away in the final three minutes off of 10-for-12 free throw shooting for the Golden Wolves. 

Alvernia honored its four seniors - William Fisher, Jacob Stoudt, Jakob Kelly, and Robert Mullan - prior to the game. 

How it Happened

• After a scoreless opening minute, the Pride opened the scoring on a Kevin Schenk jumper and made and-one free  throw 1:14 into the game. Widener expanded its lead to 10-0 through the first three minutes before Alvernia could get on the board.
• A Jacob Stoudt 3-pointer got the Golden Wolves going about three and a half minutes into the game as Alvernia started to chip away at the early Widener lead. 
• The Golden Wolves cut Widener's lead in half, 14-7, five minutes into the game, and Alvernia and Alvernia got within two, 14-12, on a Rasheem Dearry 3-pointer with 13:20 to play. 
• A quick seven points by the Pride expanded their lead back to double-digits, 22-12, as the half approached its midpoint. But, a series of four made free throws by Alvernia and an Elijah Hamilton layup brought Alvernia right back within four, 22-18, with 8:56 to play. But, as quickly as Alvernia closed in, the Pride pulled away again. Widener used a 12-5 run over the next three and a half minutes to take an 11 point lead, 34-23, with five minutes to play in the half.
• A Dearry 3-pointer once again got Alvernia back on track, but the Golden Wolves couldn't close the gap much further as Widener took a 40-32 lead into the half.
• Dearry got Alvernia started to open the second half on a putback jumper, and Alvernia quickly made it a three point game, 40-37, on a Mullan 3-pointer two minutes into the second half.
• The Pride held onto the lead for a few more minutes, but a Dearry jumper got Alvernia within two, 47-45, and the Golden Wolves tied it on their next possession as Jakob Kelly knocked down a jumper to make it 47-47 with 14:20 to play. 
• Widener retook the lead following the brief tie, and held the lead for four minutes until Alvernia retook it, 56-55, on a Janye Stanley layup with ten minutes to play.
• The game stayed within a possession until there was 3:37 remaining on the game clock and Mullan knocked down a 3-pointer coming out of an Alvernia timeout to give the Golden Wolves a 73-69 lead.
• Alvernia did not score another basket the rest of the way, but the Golden Wolves were solid from the free throw. Alvernia went 10-for-12 from the free throw line over the final three and a half minutes to secure the 83-77 win. 

Inside the Box Score

• Robert Mullan led Alvernia with a season-high 20 points, and went 9-for-10 from the line. Elijah Hamilton finished with 19 points and six rebounds. Jakob Kelly also went for 17 points and six rebounds. He also had a team-high five assists.
• Alvernia finished the night shooting 22-for-27 from the free throw line, and the Golden Wolves were 17-for-21 in the second half.

Up Next

• Alvernia heads down to Hood on Tuesday. The Blazers have lost three of their last four games, but the Blazers are currently on a seven game win streak against Alvernia.
• Alvernia is in fourth place in MAC Commonwealth standings with a 7-5 conference record.