Jan 05, 2013
1/5/2013 6:53:00 PM
BOX SCORE
Reading, Pa. (Jan. 5, 2013) - Sophomore Terrance Bridgers (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) scored a career-high 29 points capped by an emphatic dunk to lead Alvernia University (8-3, 3-2) to a 77-69 win over Messiah College (7-5, 3-2) Saturday evening in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.
Bridgers played all 40 minutes for the Crusaders--in a game that was decided largely by the starters on both sides--and was the key component to victory. The two benches combined for just five total points.
"Not only [was he the key] offensively where he had 29," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller of Bridgers, "but he guarded their high scorer [Derek] Mosely and forced him into a lot of bad shots at the end. Mosley, up until this game, was up for player of conference but I think Terrance got the better of him tonight. "
With the score tied at the half and again at 38-all six mintues into the second half, the Crusaders went on the offensive finishing off an 11-2 run that gave them a 9-point cushion with 9:17 to play. Bridgers scored five points during the run on a jumper and a 3 and junior Kahlil Bennett (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) did the same to close the run.
Messiah cut the gap down to four points, 54-50 with 6:58 to play, but Bridgers scored again in the paint, Brian Parker (Chichester, Pa./Chichester) dropped in a layup and Lamont Clark (Parkesburg, Pa./Octorara) hit three free throws to push the lead back to 11 points, 61-50.
The lead hit 15 points when Bridgers--who scored 21 of his 29 in the second half--flushed an uncontested dunk on a breakaway with 1:35 to play.
After a Bennett layup made the gap 17 points, Messiah scored 12 of the next 14 points over a span of barely 30 seconds to pull back within seven, but the Crusaders hit enough free throws in the final seconds to secure the victory.
Bridgers, who was named MAC player of the week on December 10, is making a strong case for a second weekly award. He posted 17 points on Wednesday at NYU to go with his 29 on Saturday.
As a team the Crusaders shot 47% from the field and 53% from beyond the arc.
Bennett finished with 16 points and five assists, Clark had 14 points and Parker finished with 13. All five Messiah starters were in double figures led by Brad Bolen who scored 17 points before fouling out.
The team returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Widener.
Alvernia 77, Messiah 69
Reading, Pa. (Jan. 5, 2013) - Sophomore Terrance Bridgers (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby) scored a career-high 29 points capped by an emphatic dunk to lead Alvernia University (8-3, 3-2) to a 77-69 win over Messiah College (7-5, 3-2) Saturday evening in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at the Physical Education Center.
Bridgers played all 40 minutes for the Crusaders--in a game that was decided largely by the starters on both sides--and was the key component to victory. The two benches combined for just five total points.
"Not only [was he the key] offensively where he had 29," said Alvernia head coach Mike Miller of Bridgers, "but he guarded their high scorer [Derek] Mosely and forced him into a lot of bad shots at the end. Mosley, up until this game, was up for player of conference but I think Terrance got the better of him tonight. "
With the score tied at the half and again at 38-all six mintues into the second half, the Crusaders went on the offensive finishing off an 11-2 run that gave them a 9-point cushion with 9:17 to play. Bridgers scored five points during the run on a jumper and a 3 and junior Kahlil Bennett (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) did the same to close the run.
Messiah cut the gap down to four points, 54-50 with 6:58 to play, but Bridgers scored again in the paint, Brian Parker (Chichester, Pa./Chichester) dropped in a layup and Lamont Clark (Parkesburg, Pa./Octorara) hit three free throws to push the lead back to 11 points, 61-50.
The lead hit 15 points when Bridgers--who scored 21 of his 29 in the second half--flushed an uncontested dunk on a breakaway with 1:35 to play.
After a Bennett layup made the gap 17 points, Messiah scored 12 of the next 14 points over a span of barely 30 seconds to pull back within seven, but the Crusaders hit enough free throws in the final seconds to secure the victory.
Bridgers, who was named MAC player of the week on December 10, is making a strong case for a second weekly award. He posted 17 points on Wednesday at NYU to go with his 29 on Saturday.
As a team the Crusaders shot 47% from the field and 53% from beyond the arc.
Bennett finished with 16 points and five assists, Clark had 14 points and Parker finished with 13. All five Messiah starters were in double figures led by Brad Bolen who scored 17 points before fouling out.
The team returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Widener.
Alvernia 77, Messiah 69