Talley scored the first basket of the game with just over two minutes gone by and then went for nine more as the Crusaders built a 16-2 lead holding Wesley to just a single jumper over the opening four minutes of play. The lead grew to 19 points, 24-5 at 12:25 following a single free throw from junior Ryan Finger. The Crusaders nailed five 3s over the opening seven minutes and were 7-of-12 from downtown during the first half.
Wesley trimmed into the 19-point deficit with a 14-4 run that ended with a Ryan Buckland layup at 4:53 that left the guests down nine. After an exchange of hoops Talley nailed his fourth 3 of the opening half to spark a quick 10-3 spurt and the Crusaders were up 40-24 with 1:17 to go in the first half. Gordy hit a pair of free throws on the next Wesley possession and Pat Woods threw in a long 3 as the shot clock expired to close the first half scoring with the Wolverines down 40-29.
Alvernia left the outcome in little doubt starting the second half with a 14-4 run to push the lead to 21 points, 54-33, with 15:39 left to play. Junior forward Zach Straining scored seven of his 15 points over the four minute stretch. Wesley briefly closed the gap under 20 points, but Alvernia scored eight straight points to build a 24-point lead with 10:18 to play. The lead grew to as many as 28 after back-to-back 3s from sophomore Garrett Etzel who scored 10 points off the bench in his first action at the Bollman Center since transferring cross town to Alvernia over the semester break.
Alvernia will host PAC rival Cabrini on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. again at Albright’s Bollman Center following a women’s match-up with Immaculata. The Bollman Center will be Alvernia’s home away from home at least through this weekend’s games due to water damage in the Physical Education Center.