Feb 29, 2012
BOX SCORE
Reading, Pa. (Feb. 29, 2012) - The senior class accounted for nine of the first 11 points for fourth-seeded Alvernia University (18-8) as it jumped out to an 11-2 lead and never looked back in a 78-64 win over #5 Wilkes University (17-10) Wednesday evening in the quarterfinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Men's Basketball Tournament at the Physical Education Center.
"Our three seniors did it again," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller after the game. He was referring to Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle), Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic), and Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) who accounted for 50 of the team's 78 points and 27 of the 42 rebounds.
"That and Terrance Bridgers (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) gave us a nice spark," continue Miller. Bridgers finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
"And that's why you do things like this," said Miller speaking of an optional postseason opportunity. "Not only for the seniors to go out as winners, but for the overall program and to get some of the younger guys more playing time."
Boone, who missed three games early in the season following a knee injury in the opener, has responded well over the last two going for 12 points and nine boards in the regular season finale at Lycoming and 18 and 10 Wednesday against Wilkes.
Boone capped the early run with an offensive putback and a dunk on the break assisted by junior Josh Vargas (Allentown, Pa./Faith Christian Academy) that promted an early timeout from the Wilkes bench. Thompson hit his second 3 of the half to push the lead over 10 for the first time, 23-12 with 8:52 left in the half, then he and Bridgers hit back-to-back 3s for a 20-point lead, 43-23 with 2:30 left in the half.
"In the first half our half-court offense was probably the best we executed all year," said Miller. Which is saying something considering its the first 20 minutes of in-game action the Crusaders have seen in 12 days.
Wilkes responded with 3s on three straight possessions to quickly cut the lead down to 11 points and Boone's free throw was the final point of the half giving the Crusaders a 44-32 lead at the break. Thompson led the way with 12 of his team-high 18 points with four 3s.
Boone scored the first five points of the second half and Bridgers added three to push the lead back to 20 points, 52-32 with 17:45 to play, but the Colonels didn't go quietly.
They scored 16 of the next 21 over a seven minute stretch to cut the gap down to nine points, 57-48, but the two teams combined for just three total free throws over the next four and a half minutes with Alvernia holding a 10-point lead, 59-49.
Thompson ended the scoring drought with a 3 and the Crusaders kept the lead in double digits the rest of the way.
Thompson finished with 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting--all behind the arc. Nerney posted his second straight double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
"And that's why he's going to be tough to replace," said Miller of Nerney. "He always rebounds and he always guards their best player. Overall I thought he did a heck of a job."
Wilkes senior Paul Huch--who Miller referred to as the best player he's coached against all season--finished with a game-high 24 points, seven of which came after Nerney's final home curtain call. Nic Wilkins also reached double figures for the Colonels with 12.
Alvernia moves on to the final four at top-seeded Juniata and will face the Eagles in the first game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The second semifinal will feature #2 LaRoche vs. #3 Catholic at 3:30. The finals will pit the two winners Sunday at a time to be determined.
#4 Alvernia 78, #5 Wilkes 64
Reading, Pa. (Feb. 29, 2012) - The senior class accounted for nine of the first 11 points for fourth-seeded Alvernia University (18-8) as it jumped out to an 11-2 lead and never looked back in a 78-64 win over #5 Wilkes University (17-10) Wednesday evening in the quarterfinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Men's Basketball Tournament at the Physical Education Center.
"Our three seniors did it again," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller after the game. He was referring to Cory Boone (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle), Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic), and Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) who accounted for 50 of the team's 78 points and 27 of the 42 rebounds.
"That and Terrance Bridgers (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) gave us a nice spark," continue Miller. Bridgers finished with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
"And that's why you do things like this," said Miller speaking of an optional postseason opportunity. "Not only for the seniors to go out as winners, but for the overall program and to get some of the younger guys more playing time."
Boone, who missed three games early in the season following a knee injury in the opener, has responded well over the last two going for 12 points and nine boards in the regular season finale at Lycoming and 18 and 10 Wednesday against Wilkes.
Boone capped the early run with an offensive putback and a dunk on the break assisted by junior Josh Vargas (Allentown, Pa./Faith Christian Academy) that promted an early timeout from the Wilkes bench. Thompson hit his second 3 of the half to push the lead over 10 for the first time, 23-12 with 8:52 left in the half, then he and Bridgers hit back-to-back 3s for a 20-point lead, 43-23 with 2:30 left in the half.
"In the first half our half-court offense was probably the best we executed all year," said Miller. Which is saying something considering its the first 20 minutes of in-game action the Crusaders have seen in 12 days.
Wilkes responded with 3s on three straight possessions to quickly cut the lead down to 11 points and Boone's free throw was the final point of the half giving the Crusaders a 44-32 lead at the break. Thompson led the way with 12 of his team-high 18 points with four 3s.
Boone scored the first five points of the second half and Bridgers added three to push the lead back to 20 points, 52-32 with 17:45 to play, but the Colonels didn't go quietly.
They scored 16 of the next 21 over a seven minute stretch to cut the gap down to nine points, 57-48, but the two teams combined for just three total free throws over the next four and a half minutes with Alvernia holding a 10-point lead, 59-49.
Thompson ended the scoring drought with a 3 and the Crusaders kept the lead in double digits the rest of the way.
Thompson finished with 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting--all behind the arc. Nerney posted his second straight double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
"And that's why he's going to be tough to replace," said Miller of Nerney. "He always rebounds and he always guards their best player. Overall I thought he did a heck of a job."
Wilkes senior Paul Huch--who Miller referred to as the best player he's coached against all season--finished with a game-high 24 points, seven of which came after Nerney's final home curtain call. Nic Wilkins also reached double figures for the Colonels with 12.
Alvernia moves on to the final four at top-seeded Juniata and will face the Eagles in the first game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The second semifinal will feature #2 LaRoche vs. #3 Catholic at 3:30. The finals will pit the two winners Sunday at a time to be determined.
#4 Alvernia 78, #5 Wilkes 64