Jan 18, 2014
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READING, Pa. – Defending Commonwealth Conference Champion Alvernia showed its athleticism early and often Saturday afternoon in defeating the Elizabethtown College men's basketball team, 85-64, on Jack McCloskey Court. The Crusaders got 19 first-half points from Khalil Bennett in opening a quick 9-2 lead and leading by as many as 18 points before halftime.
Brian Parker led all scorers with 21 points, but it was Bennett doing most of the harm to the Blue Jays' defense in the first half. The 6-foot-1 senior forward found success wherever he was on the court, inside and out. Bennett hit four 3-points and seven shots overall to send Alvernia (9-5, 5-3 CC) into the half with a 42-26 lead.
Elizabethtown was never able to get on track against the speedy Crusaders. Bennett and Harrison Deyo teamed up to score Alvernia's first nine points, while Lee Eckert had the Blue Jays' only basket over the first 3:38.
Bennett and Parker had the green light from coach Mike Miller, firing it up 12 and seven times, respectively, in the first 20 minutes. The other six Crusaders to see time in the half shot the ball a total of nine times combined.
During a two-minute stretch early in the first half, Bennett scored eight straight points for the home team. Alvernia used the streak to highlight a 15-2 run that turned a 9-5 lead into a 24-7 advantage.
The Blue Jays (6-9, 3-5 CC) hung with the Crusaders in the second half, totaling 38 points to Alvernia's 43. But the visitors could never make up enough ground to challenge AU's sizable lead.
Alvernia shot a blazing 53.8% (28-of-52) from the floor and got to the foul line 30 times, making 23. Elizabethtown was able to outrebound their counterparts 33-27 overall and 12-8 on the offensive glass. Andrew Mantz and Jake Sweger got their paws on six boards each.
Eckert put in another workmanlike effort, going 6-of-10 in 19 minutes to lead Elizabethtown with 13 points. Phil Wenger scored 11 on the strength of a 7-of-9 day at the foul line. Wenger added two assists and two steals.
In all, 12 different players scored at least a point for the Jays. Evan Hathaway came off the bench to provide nine, as did Tyler Simpkiss in scoring seven.
Bennett was held scoreless after halftime on just three shots. Parker (11), Deyo (10) and Lamont Clark (nine) would pick up the scoring for the Crusaders in Bennett's stead. Deyo, who doubled up Widener with a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday, nearly matched his scoring numbers with 18 against the Blue Jays. AU point guard Chris Davis effectively found his open teammates and provided a game-high six assists to go along with six points.
Elizabethtown will regroup for a match-up against Stevenson Wednesday at 8 p.m., at Thompson Gymnasium.
Brian Parker led all scorers with 21 points, but it was Bennett doing most of the harm to the Blue Jays' defense in the first half. The 6-foot-1 senior forward found success wherever he was on the court, inside and out. Bennett hit four 3-points and seven shots overall to send Alvernia (9-5, 5-3 CC) into the half with a 42-26 lead.
Elizabethtown was never able to get on track against the speedy Crusaders. Bennett and Harrison Deyo teamed up to score Alvernia's first nine points, while Lee Eckert had the Blue Jays' only basket over the first 3:38.
Bennett and Parker had the green light from coach Mike Miller, firing it up 12 and seven times, respectively, in the first 20 minutes. The other six Crusaders to see time in the half shot the ball a total of nine times combined.
During a two-minute stretch early in the first half, Bennett scored eight straight points for the home team. Alvernia used the streak to highlight a 15-2 run that turned a 9-5 lead into a 24-7 advantage.
The Blue Jays (6-9, 3-5 CC) hung with the Crusaders in the second half, totaling 38 points to Alvernia's 43. But the visitors could never make up enough ground to challenge AU's sizable lead.
Alvernia shot a blazing 53.8% (28-of-52) from the floor and got to the foul line 30 times, making 23. Elizabethtown was able to outrebound their counterparts 33-27 overall and 12-8 on the offensive glass. Andrew Mantz and Jake Sweger got their paws on six boards each.
Eckert put in another workmanlike effort, going 6-of-10 in 19 minutes to lead Elizabethtown with 13 points. Phil Wenger scored 11 on the strength of a 7-of-9 day at the foul line. Wenger added two assists and two steals.
In all, 12 different players scored at least a point for the Jays. Evan Hathaway came off the bench to provide nine, as did Tyler Simpkiss in scoring seven.
Bennett was held scoreless after halftime on just three shots. Parker (11), Deyo (10) and Lamont Clark (nine) would pick up the scoring for the Crusaders in Bennett's stead. Deyo, who doubled up Widener with a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday, nearly matched his scoring numbers with 18 against the Blue Jays. AU point guard Chris Davis effectively found his open teammates and provided a game-high six assists to go along with six points.
Elizabethtown will regroup for a match-up against Stevenson Wednesday at 8 p.m., at Thompson Gymnasium.
