Jan 15, 2011
BOX SCORE | PHOTOS
Reading, Pa. (Jan. 15, 2011) - Alvernia University (10-3, 5-0) held Messiah College (7-8, 2-3) to just 15 first-half points en route to a 72-56 win Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.
The Falcons hit just six shots on 27 attempts in the first half including 0-for-7 from behind the arc. They entered Saturday hitting 36 percent as a team from 3-point range. Alvernia built the lead to 16 points hanging 31 points on the Falcons going 10-for-24 from the floor.
Alvernia opened the second half with the first eight points pushing the lead to 22 with 16:35 left. That's when Messiah started to find the range.
Josh Hartment hit the Falcons' first 3 of the game and Trey Ritzman did the same on the next possession. Chris Yoder then Jeremiah Runkle hit back-to-back layups and that quickly Messiah had cut 10 points off the lead and now trailed 39-27 with 14:12 to go.
The lead was down to 11 points a minute later when Alvernia put together a 9-0 capped by back-to-back layups from Charlie Swiggett (Chester, Pa./Chester), who finished with a game-high 20.
Alvernia held the lead at 14 or better the rest of the way.
"You gotta be happy with the win," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller. "Our defense has been consistent, but we gotta learn how to close out games."
In all three of Alvernia's losses this season the team has held the lead in the game's final minute.
"It's still early," quipped Miller as he headed out the door.
Tad Gillis (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) scored 17 points to go with a season-high eight rebounds. Seth Cornell (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor) hit 10-of-10 free throws on his way to 16 points and Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) added 10. Messiah had two players reach 13 points each in Yoder and Brad Bolen.
Alvernia continues the conference schedule hosting Widener next Wednesday.
Alvernia 72, Messiah 56
Reading, Pa. (Jan. 15, 2011) - Alvernia University (10-3, 5-0) held Messiah College (7-8, 2-3) to just 15 first-half points en route to a 72-56 win Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.
The Falcons hit just six shots on 27 attempts in the first half including 0-for-7 from behind the arc. They entered Saturday hitting 36 percent as a team from 3-point range. Alvernia built the lead to 16 points hanging 31 points on the Falcons going 10-for-24 from the floor.
Alvernia opened the second half with the first eight points pushing the lead to 22 with 16:35 left. That's when Messiah started to find the range.
Josh Hartment hit the Falcons' first 3 of the game and Trey Ritzman did the same on the next possession. Chris Yoder then Jeremiah Runkle hit back-to-back layups and that quickly Messiah had cut 10 points off the lead and now trailed 39-27 with 14:12 to go.
The lead was down to 11 points a minute later when Alvernia put together a 9-0 capped by back-to-back layups from Charlie Swiggett (Chester, Pa./Chester), who finished with a game-high 20.
Alvernia held the lead at 14 or better the rest of the way.
"You gotta be happy with the win," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller. "Our defense has been consistent, but we gotta learn how to close out games."
In all three of Alvernia's losses this season the team has held the lead in the game's final minute.
"It's still early," quipped Miller as he headed out the door.
Tad Gillis (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) scored 17 points to go with a season-high eight rebounds. Seth Cornell (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor) hit 10-of-10 free throws on his way to 16 points and Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) added 10. Messiah had two players reach 13 points each in Yoder and Brad Bolen.
Alvernia continues the conference schedule hosting Widener next Wednesday.
Alvernia 72, Messiah 56