Reading, Pa. (Jan. 10, 2026) - Alvernia University (8-4, 2-0) held off a late push by Stevenson University (9-4, 1-1) to take a 71-68 win over the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth Men's Basketball action at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court.

After a slow start, the Golden Wolves picked things up and led 34-27 at the half. Alvernia led by eight midway through the second half, but could not shake the Mustangs. Stevenson tied the game with 6:30 to play and tied again a minute later. But, the Golden Wolves got some breathing room with a Rasheem Dearry 3-pointer and held the Mustangs off. Stevenson had a look at a buzzer-beater with a deep three point attempt that was just a bit off target as Alvernia came away with the 71-68 win to improve to 2-0 in early MAC Commonwealth play. 

How it Happened

• The Mustangs jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead through the first 90 seconds and led 12-5 through five minutes of action. But, back-to-back Dearry 3-pointers quickly brought Alvernia within one, 12-11, with 13:29 to play. 
• After the Mustangs built their lead back up to six, 17-11, jumpers from Elijah Hamilton Mason Jones, and Dearry evened the game at 17-17 as the half passed its midpoint. Alvernia then took the 20-17 lead on a 3-pointer from Janye Stanley.
• A Robert Cottrell layup gave Alvernia a 22-19 advantage with 6:38 to play and sparked a 14-3 run for the Golden Wolves that gave Alvernia 34-22 lead with 3:19 to play in the half. An Austin Mbuyi putback layup marked the end of the run for the Golden Wolves and marked Alvernia's final points of the half as the Mustangs scored the final five of the half to make it a 34-27 game in favor of Alvernia going into the break.
• Alvernia built its lead back up to ten, 39-29, on a 3-pointer and jumper from Stanley to open the half. Another 3-pointer from Stanley three minutes later maintained Alvernia's double-digit lead, 45-35, as the Golden Wolves and Mustangs traded points in the opening minutes of the second half.
• The Mustangs went on a quick 9-0 run after Stanley's 3-pointer and closed within one of the Golden Wolves, 45-44, with 12:19 to play. Alvernia got back on track with a Dearry 3-pointer and Elijah Hamilton layup over the next minute to build its lead back up to six, 50-44.
• The Mustangs threatened again and got back within one, 54-53, with eight minutes to play. Stevenson then tied the game at 55-55 with 6:30 to play. After the Mustangs tied the game again at 57-57 a minute later, back-to-back layups by the Golden Wolves pushed it back up to a five point game, 61-57. The Mustangs then got back within one on a 3-pointer, but Dearry knocked down another three to give the Golden Wolves a little bit of breathing room.
• Alvernia then built its lead back up to six, 66-60, on a pair of made free throws by Mason Jones with 1:40 to play.
• After a scoreless minute stretch on both sides, the Golden Wolves took a 68-61 lead on a pair of made free throws by Kareem Diaz. The Mustangs then got back within five, 68-63, on a layup with 34 seconds to play and made it a three point game, 68-65, with another layup just a few seconds later.
• The Mustangs hung around and another series of made free throws for Stevenson brought the Mustangs within two, 70-68.
• The Mustangs then followed Stanley, sending him to the line with a chance to put the game out of reach. But, Stanley only converted one of his two attempts to make it a 3-point game, 71-68. The Mustangs inbounded the ball with six seconds on the clock and got it over midcourt with time ticking down. Stevenson's Kyle Luddy got off a clean look on a very deep 3-point opportunity to tie the game, but his shot missed the mark as Alvernia hung on for the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Both Janye Stanley and Rasheem Dearry led Alvernia with 18 points. Stanley went 6-for-9 overall and 4-for-6 from three. He finished the game with five rebounds. Dearry went 6-for-14 overall and 4-for-10 from three. He also finished with three rebounds and three assists. 
• Mason Jones and Robert Cottrell also reached double-digits for Alvernia. Both finished with 11 points. Jones also had a team-high four assists.

Up Next

• Alvernia is back home on Wednesday night hosting York College. The Spartans, who are ranked #23 in the nation, dropped a home game this afternoon to Hood College, 95-78.