Reading, Pa. – The Stevenson men's basketball team fell to Alvernia University 77-71 in a hard-fought battle Saturday afternoon. 
 
First Half
Sophomore forward Cameron Smith started the Mustangs off sinking a three on the team's first possession before Alvernia grabbed the next four points. Graduate student guard Connor Walsh took back the lead for the Mustangs who kept it for most of the half. The largest lead for Stevenson came at the halfway point in the half as junior guard Cameron Sapienza completed a four-point play of a three and a free throw. The Golden Wolves battled back and briefly took the lead with six minutes to go. Alvernia's Robert Mullan rounded off the half with a three-point play of a layup and a foul. 
 
Second Half
The second half picked up where the first left off as both squads traded buckets. Seven minutes in, Alvernia's Jakob Kelly put in a layup to give the Golden Wolves a six-point advantage. Following an Alvernia timeout at 9:09, Smith hit a corner three to take the lead, but was called for a flop that sent Alvernia to the line. The Mustangs fought hard and kept the game close as Alvernia's Keba Mitchell came up with a pair of blocks and defensive rebounds to secure the win. 
 
Game Stats
Walsh – 18 pts. 5 reb. 8-14 FG.
Smith – 11 pts. 7 reb. 3-6 3P.
Newell – 9 pts. 4 reb. 1 blk. 4-4 FG.
E. Jones – 3 reb. 4 ast. 2 blk. 
 
Following the loss, the Mustangs fall to 11-7 (5-4 MACC) and will next play host to Hood College on Wednesday, Jan. 25 with a 6 p.m. tipoff. Alvernia improves to 13-5 (7-2 MACC) and are next on the road to Widener University on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m.