Box Score
GLASSBORO, NJ – Center Nick Rivera scored 27 points to lead Alvernia University to a 69-65 win over Rowan University in a nonconference game on Monday night.
The Crusaders are undefeated with a 6-0 record, while the Profs are 3-2. Rivera (sr. Reading, PA/Holy Name) made 11 of 16 shots from the floor and five of eight free throws. He also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds and blocked three shots. Guard Seth Cornell (jr. Millersville, PA/Penn Manor) added 19 points, including five three-pointers. Guard Tad Gillis (so. Williamsport, PA/Upper Darby) dished 10 assists.
For Rowan, forward Tyson Hartnett (sr. Medford, NJ/Shawnee) totaled 19 points and a career best 12 rebounds. Forward Kendall White (fr. Lumberton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Reg.) and guard Allen Pritchett (sr. Camden, NJ/Woodbury) were also in double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. Center Derek Piccini (sr. Ridgefield, NJ/Ridgefield Mem.) contributed with eight points and six boards.
Alvernia led 35-29 at halftime. In the second period, Rivera had a three-point play at 19:33 to make the score, 38-29. Rowan recorded three straight baskets to cut the deficit to three (38-35) at 17:49. White, Hartnett and guard Sean Hughes (jr. Pt. Pleasant, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Boro) each had two points. The Crusaders answered with a 7-0 run to go ahead 45-35 at 13:42. Cornell hit a three-pointer and Rivera and Gillis each had a field goal. Cornell’s two free throws (11:10) extended the lead to 11 points (51-40). The Profs had a 12-2 surge to pull within one (53-52) with 7:28 remaining. Pritchett scored seven of the 12 points.
The Crusaders were up 55-54 at 6:37. Rivera had two free throws (6:16) and a three-point play (5:44) to give Alvernia a six point advantage (60-54). Hartnett connected on a foul shot (5:15) and three-pointer (4:38) to bring Rowan within two (60-58). Rivera’s layup and free throw at 4:13 stretched the lead to five (63-58). Piccini made a foul shot (3:55) and Hughes had a layup (3:20) to make the score, 63-61. With 2:32 left to play, Piccini hit a jumper to tie the game at 63. After a layup (1:27) and a free throw (00:37) by Alvernia forward Brian Nerney (so. Middletown, NJ/Red Bank Catholic), Hartnett’s layup at 00:21 cut the lead to two (67-65). Forward Matt Schatzmann (fr. Paradise, PA/Pequea Valley) made a layup with 15 seconds remaining to seal the win. Rivera scored 15 points in the second half, while Hartnett and Pritchett each had 10.
In the first half, the score was tied, 14-14 at 12:13. Rowan had seven straight points to go ahead, 21-14 (9:13). Hartnett had five points in the surge. At 8:26, the Profs were up, 23-16. The Crusaders had two baskets to come within three (23-20) at 5:53. White’s layup at 3:19 gave Rowan a four point advantage (29-25). Cornell made three-pointers at 3:05 and 2:29 to put Alvernia ahead, 31-29. Forward Ryan Ludwig (so. Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy) added a layup (1:49) and Cornell sunk two free throws (1:06) to close out the half. Cornell led all scorers with 14 points, followed by Rivera with 12. White compiled 10 points for the Profs.
Rowan opens conference play at The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, December 2 at 8 p.m.
