York, Pa. (Feb. 8, 2025) - After holding a narrow lead at the half, Alvernia University (13-8, 5-5) was outscored 38-30 in the second half as York College (16-5, 9-1) secured the season-sweep with a 70-65 win over the Golden Wolves on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at York.

After trailing 6-0 early, the Golden Wolves held a 35-32 lead at the half. But, the Spartans took advantage of a slow opening five minutes of the second half for Alvernia and retook the lead. A back and forth game ensued for the latter half of the second half, and the Golden Wolves and Spartans were tied at 63-63 with 2:03 to play. York took the lead on a putback layup and held Alvernia without a field goal the rest of the way. The Golden Wolves also went 3-for-6 from the line in the final two minutes as York took the 70-65 win. 

How it Happened

• The Spartans took a quick 6-0 lead with back-to-back 3-pointers from Tate Landis to open the game. Alvernia got on the board and answered with a 3-pointer from Robert Mullan. Another Mullan three two minutes later brought Alvernia within two, 8-6, and the Golden Wolves tied the game at 8-8 on a Jakob Kelly layup five minutes into the action.
• York took several more one possession leads over the next five minutes, but Alvernia was able to answer each and prevent the Spartans from gaining any ground. York led 19-16 at the midpoint of the half, but an Elijah Hamilton layup and pair of made free throws by Robert Cottrell gave Alvernia the 20-19 lead with 8:38 to play in the first half.
• With York leading 30-27 with 3:38 to play in the half, Alvernia got within two on a Rasheem Dearry layup. The Golden Wolves then took the 32-30 lead on a Kelly 3-pointer with two minutes to play. Kelly kept it rolling with a layup to give Alvernia the 34-30 lead, and an Elijah Hamilton free throw made it a five point game, 35-30, with 42 seconds to play in the half. The Spartans hit a layup for the final points of the quarter, but Alvernia took the 35-32 lead into the break.
• The Golden Wolves had a slow start to the half, and York took advantage. The Spartans took a 41-37 lead after holding Alvernia to just two points in the opening four minutes of the half.
• Alvernia took a timeout to regroup, and Jacob Stoudt hit a 3-pointer for Alvernia coming out of the timeout to get Alvernia back on track and within one, 41-40.
• After a couple of ties, Alvernia retook the lead, 46-44, on a Hamilton jumper. But, the lead did not last long as York retook on a Landis 3-pointer on its next possession.
• The Spartans held the lead for the next six minutes, but Alvernia retook the lead, 57-56 on a Stoudt 3-pointer with 6:26 to play. 
• Alvernia's lead once again did not last long, with the Spartans regaining the lead on a pair of made free throws on their next possession.
• The Golden Wolves tied the game again at 62-62 with 2:33 to play on a layup from Mullan, but Mullan missed a free throw to give Alvernia the lead on the and-one play. 
• After another tie at 63-63, the Spartans retook the lead on a putback layup and held onto the lead for good from there. York held Alvernia without a field goal in the final two minutes and Alvernia shot 50% at the line from the final two minutes as York pulled away for the 70-65 win.

Inside the Box Score

• Elijah Hamilton led Alvernia with a 15 point, 11 rebound double-double. Jakob Kelly finished with 14 points, and Robert Mullan finished with 13.
• Alvernia shot just 57.7% from the foul line, its worst performance at the line this season. The Golden Wolves were shooting 78.6% from the foul line entering today's game. 

Up Next

• Alvernia hosts Eastern on Wednesday at 7:00 PM. The Golden Wolves are 5-5 in conference play and in a tie for fourth in conference standings with Widener. Eastern is just 1-8 and will be entering Wednesday on short rest after its game with Stevenson scheduled for today was postponed to Monday.