BOX SCORE

Reading, Pa. (Feb. 12, 2011) – Alvernia University (15-5, 10-2) smashed records for free throws made and attempted hitting 49 free throws on 66 attempts – including 23-of-32 in the last eight minutes – in an 89-82 win over Lycoming College (14-9, 4-8) Saturday evening in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.

The Crusaders hit just 19 field goals in the game -- their second lowest output of the season -- but reached their highest point total since putting up 107 on Penn State-Schuylkill in the season opener by breaking their own free throws made record by 13 (36 at Beaver, now Arcadia, on Jan. 31, 1998).

The game should have been well in hand after Alvernia opened up a 17-point, first-half lead then held 12 at the break, 40-28.

"The first half we were pretty good," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller. "Defensively and the bench."

They held Lycoming under 30 percent shooting from the floor with junior Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) locking down the Warriors top option, power forward Will Kelly.

"First half what did he have, one bucket," said Miller of Kelly's early numbers. "That was all Nerney."

Fourteen of Kelly's team-high 29 points came in the final four minutes of the game after Nerney had fouled out.

"The second half we got a little tired, mentally in the last few minutes," said Miller.

The Warriors forced some key turnovers – the Crusaders finished with a season-high 22 – and cut a 19-point, second-half deficit down to four points on three occasions in the final three minutes.

"We started to panic a little against the pressure," said Miller. "And again, they're playing for their playoff lives. That's why we shot 66 foul shots."

Each time the lead was down to four points it was a free throw that pushed it back up. First Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) hit a pair with 2:34 to play. He finished 8-of-12 from the line. Then Tad Gillis (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) did the same 30 seconds later. He was the team leader at the stripe going 14-of-16. Then with under 40 seconds left Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) hit 1-of-2 from the line. He was 6-of-9 from the stripe.

Lycoming had a look at two 3s that would have cut the gap to two points after Thompson's free throw, but missed on both and fittingly freshman reserve Will Harmon (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) closed the scoring with a pair of free throws.

Harmon and fellow reserve Parker combined for 20 minutes off the bench in the first half helping the Crusaders get rest while building the early lead.

"Booney needs rest, so Parker's gotta step up," said Miller. "And Nerney was in a little foul trouble so Harmer had to step up. We knew coming into this game we were going to need rest and they both stepped up."

Harmon finished with nine points – one shy of his career high – all from the free throw line where he went 9-for-10. Parker scored four points, but also pulled down six boards.

"We just have to keep getting better," finished Miller. "I knew we were going to have to win this game this way, and a win is a win. And at least we clinched a home game."

The Crusaders have clinched a home game for the conference playoffs, a trip they missed a season ago, and could tie up the top spot with one more win or one Lebanon Valley loss.

All five Alvernia starters reached double figures led by Boone's 20.  The 6-8 center also grabbed a game and season-high 16 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.  Gillis finished with 16 points, Nerney had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Thompson and Seth Cornell (Millersville, Pa./Penn Manor) scored 13 points each.

Ihsann Davis joined Kelly in double figures for the Warriors with 14 points before fouling out.  Five players fouled out for Lycoming while Nerney was the only disqualification for the Crusaders.  Michael Rudy scored 12 points of the bench for the Warriors who are eliminated from playoff contention.

Alvernia hosts Albright College (15-8, 7-5) on Tuesday then travels to Lebanon Valley (17-6, 8-4) next Saturday to close the regular season. The playoffs open the following Wednesday in Reading.

Alvernia 89, Lycoming 82