Jan 21, 2012
Elizabethtown, Pa. (Jan. 21, 2012) - Junior Josh Vargas (Allentown, Pa./Faith Christian) scored a career-high 28 points and the defense held an opponent under 60 points for the seventh time this season as Alvernia University (12-4, 4-2) bettered Elizabethtown College (6-10, 2-4), 80-52 Saturday evening in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at Etown.
Vargas scored 12 of his game-high 28 during a 24-2 run over the final 8:17 of the first half and the Crusaders turned a 17-16 deficit into a commanding 40-19 lead at the halftime break. Freshman Terrance Bridgers (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) started the run with a 3 and senior Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) scored nine of his 13 during the run.
The Crusaders erased any thought of a comeback scoring the first five points of the second half and held the lead over 16 the rest of the way.
Senior Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) reached double figures for the fifth time in the last six games scoring 13 points to go with 10 rebounds. His second double-double of the season was the fifth for the Crusaders. Vargas, the team's leading scorer, posted his fifth 20-plus point effort.
Alvernia finishes the first run through the conference schedule Wednesday at Messiah College which is currently tied for first with Lycoming at 5-1. The Crusaders--at 4-2--are currently a game ahead of fourth place Lebanon Valley.
Alvernia 80, Elizabethtown 52
Vargas scored 12 of his game-high 28 during a 24-2 run over the final 8:17 of the first half and the Crusaders turned a 17-16 deficit into a commanding 40-19 lead at the halftime break. Freshman Terrance Bridgers (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) started the run with a 3 and senior Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) scored nine of his 13 during the run.
The Crusaders erased any thought of a comeback scoring the first five points of the second half and held the lead over 16 the rest of the way.
Senior Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) reached double figures for the fifth time in the last six games scoring 13 points to go with 10 rebounds. His second double-double of the season was the fifth for the Crusaders. Vargas, the team's leading scorer, posted his fifth 20-plus point effort.
Alvernia finishes the first run through the conference schedule Wednesday at Messiah College which is currently tied for first with Lycoming at 5-1. The Crusaders--at 4-2--are currently a game ahead of fourth place Lebanon Valley.
Alvernia 80, Elizabethtown 52