Feb 11, 2012
BOX SCORE
Reading, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2012) - Senior forward Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) scored 12 of his game-high 27 in the final three minutes as Alvernia University (16-7, 7-5) overcame a nine-point deficit scoring 16 of the final 20 points to steal a 70-67 win over Elizabethtown College (8-14, 4-8) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.
The win moves the Crusaders into a third-place tie with Lycoming, a 70-69 loser to Widener. Both teams are a game clear of fifth-place Albright which kept its playoff hopes alive with a 72-67 win at Lebanon Valley. Top-ranked Messiah College stayed two games ahead of Widener in first place with a 62-61 win over last-placed Arcadia.
With two games remaining only five teams remain alive for the four playoff spots, Messiah, Widener, Alvernia, Lycoming, and Albright.
With 3:15 remaining in the game, and his team trailing by nine, Alvernia head coach Mike Miller called a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Thompson hit a quick 3 and then a layup to pull his team within four. At the other end of the court, center Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle) had a huge block that was followed up by a Vargas layup to cut the lead to just two. Seconds later Thompson hit another 3-pointer and then added two free throws to tie the game at 66-all and give him eight points in just 70 seconds.
With 21 seconds left on the clock the Crusaders took another timeout to setup a play for Thompson. Thompson answered by hitting a jump shot with five seconds left to give the Crusaders their first lead in 14 minutes.
With the score 68-67 Elizabethtown inbounded the ball instead of taking a timeout. Alvernia junior Josh Vargas (Allentown, Pa./Faith Christian) stole the inbound pass and was immediately fouled. The home crowd was as loud as its been since the Crusaders won the MAC title last February. Vargas hit both free throws to give the Crusaders a three point advantage. Elizabethtown threw up a prayer in an effort to tie the game but the attempt was off the mark.
Before Saturday's game, Alvernia head coach Mike Miller honored each of his three senior captains, Boone, Thompson and forward Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic). Miller spoke to the home crowd about how difficult it will be to replace a 6'8 center, a sharpshooter and a coach on the floor as he described his star players.
The first half of the game saw nine ties. Freshman guard Steve Schneider (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks South) came off the bench late in the half as he sparked the offense by hitting back to back 3s in a span of 30 seconds to tie the game. The teams entered the break locked at 31-all.
Opening the first 10 minutes of the half, Boone had four tremendous blocks. During his pregame speech Miller referred to the big man as "the best defensive player I have ever coached". Boone--the Alvernia single season record holder for blocks--finished the day with five blocks and 10 boards as he dominated the glass.
The Crusaders are back in action Tuesday evening at 6:00 as they take on Messiah College in an important conference game.
Reading, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2012) - Senior forward Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) scored 12 of his game-high 27 in the final three minutes as Alvernia University (16-7, 7-5) overcame a nine-point deficit scoring 16 of the final 20 points to steal a 70-67 win over Elizabethtown College (8-14, 4-8) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.
The win moves the Crusaders into a third-place tie with Lycoming, a 70-69 loser to Widener. Both teams are a game clear of fifth-place Albright which kept its playoff hopes alive with a 72-67 win at Lebanon Valley. Top-ranked Messiah College stayed two games ahead of Widener in first place with a 62-61 win over last-placed Arcadia.
With two games remaining only five teams remain alive for the four playoff spots, Messiah, Widener, Alvernia, Lycoming, and Albright.
With 3:15 remaining in the game, and his team trailing by nine, Alvernia head coach Mike Miller called a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Thompson hit a quick 3 and then a layup to pull his team within four. At the other end of the court, center Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle) had a huge block that was followed up by a Vargas layup to cut the lead to just two. Seconds later Thompson hit another 3-pointer and then added two free throws to tie the game at 66-all and give him eight points in just 70 seconds.
With 21 seconds left on the clock the Crusaders took another timeout to setup a play for Thompson. Thompson answered by hitting a jump shot with five seconds left to give the Crusaders their first lead in 14 minutes.
With the score 68-67 Elizabethtown inbounded the ball instead of taking a timeout. Alvernia junior Josh Vargas (Allentown, Pa./Faith Christian) stole the inbound pass and was immediately fouled. The home crowd was as loud as its been since the Crusaders won the MAC title last February. Vargas hit both free throws to give the Crusaders a three point advantage. Elizabethtown threw up a prayer in an effort to tie the game but the attempt was off the mark.
Before Saturday's game, Alvernia head coach Mike Miller honored each of his three senior captains, Boone, Thompson and forward Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic). Miller spoke to the home crowd about how difficult it will be to replace a 6'8 center, a sharpshooter and a coach on the floor as he described his star players.
The first half of the game saw nine ties. Freshman guard Steve Schneider (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks South) came off the bench late in the half as he sparked the offense by hitting back to back 3s in a span of 30 seconds to tie the game. The teams entered the break locked at 31-all.
Opening the first 10 minutes of the half, Boone had four tremendous blocks. During his pregame speech Miller referred to the big man as "the best defensive player I have ever coached". Boone--the Alvernia single season record holder for blocks--finished the day with five blocks and 10 boards as he dominated the glass.
The Crusaders are back in action Tuesday evening at 6:00 as they take on Messiah College in an important conference game.