Etzel hit a big 3 at the top of the key to build on a one-point lead with 4:24 left, and Shawell, who scored 15 second-half points, saved a pass that was headed out of bounds and hit a fading 15-footer for a six-point lead. Neumann junior Dehran Patrick (Chester, PA/Chester), who finished with a game-high 28, ended a three minute field goal drought for the Knights (11-10, 8-6 PAC) with a layup at 1:56, but Alvernia hit 10 free throws in the final 90 seconds to salt away the win.
The Crusaders (16-4, 11-2 PAC) avenged a one-point loss down at Neumann earlier this season, and will look to pay back their only other conference loss when Gwynedd-Mercy visits the PEC on Monday.
Alvernia scored the first eight points of the game, but the Knights stormed back with supersub Patrick knocking down two of his game-high four 3s during a 9-1 run. Patrick nailed another 3 just past the midway point of the half to pull Neumann within two, 16-14, but the Knights couldn’t knot the game with Alvernia freshman Matt King (Phoenixville, PA/St. Pius X) hitting two 3s and throwing in a dunk to keep them at bay.
Sophomore Marcel Roane (Philadelphia, PA/George Washington) hit a pair of free throws and dunked an offensive rebound to push the gap to seven, 28-21. King followed with a 3 and Alvernia held its largest lead of the half at 31-21 with 2:56 left. Neumann quickly trimmed it to six and a pair of DJ Fritz (Cheltenham, MD/MacNamara) free throws sent the Knights to the locker room facing a five-point deficit, 34-29.
Fritz hit a 3 to open the second half and the Knights finally tied the score on a Patrick jumper with 14:18 to play. Shawell answered with seven straight points for a 45-38 lead with 11:51 to play, and the Knights slowly cut the lead back down to one, 54-53 before Etzel’s 3.
King finished the day with 11 points and senior Ryan Finger (Lancaster, PA/Lampeter Strasburg) added eight points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Neumann sophomore Mike Hitchens (Ardsley, PA/Abington) also reached double figures for the Knights with 11.
Alvernia 71, Neumann 59