READING, Pa. – Host Alvernia University outscored Stevenson University 38-17 over the final 20 minutes to grab a 61-42 MAC Commonwealth men's basketball victory Saturday afternoon at the Physical Education Center.

Stevenson (5-11, 3-4 MAC Commonwealth) led 25-23 at halftime and a tip-in by sophomore Sean Mayberry extended the lead to 27-23 1:49 into the second half.  Alvernia (8-8, 4-3 MAC Commonwealth) scored the next nine points to take a 32-27 lead with 15:09 left on a traditional three-point play by Marquis Mitchell.

A basket by junior Ryan Hill stopped the Crusader run, but another 9-2 spurt by the hosts pushed the lead to 10, 41-31, with 10:26 to go.  A basket by senior Erik Fisher and a Hill dunk cut the deficit to six with 9:00 on the clock.

Trailing 48-37 with just over six minutes to go, a conventional three-point play by Fisher with 5:20 left put Stevenson down eight, but the Alvernia defense clamped down, not allowing a Mustang field goal the rest of the way.  The lone two points by the guests came on a pair of Hill free throws with just over two minutes left.

Stevenson led for much of the first half, taking the lead for good in the opening 20 minutes on a three by senior Christian Roberts with 8:05 in the opening frame that broke a 12-12 deadlock.  The Mustangs led by as many as five and carried a 25-23 lead into the locker room.

Fisher registered 13 points and 13 rebounds en route to his seventh double-double of the season.  Hill was the only other Mustang in double figures as he totaled 10 points.  Marshall led Alvernia with 20 points and 13 boards.

Alvernia shot 38.5% for the game while holding Stevenson to 34.5% shooting, but the Crusaders went 16-18 at the free throw line while the Mustangs went just 3-12 at the charity stripe.  Stevenson held a 40-35 rebound advantage, but went 1-10 behind the arc while the hosts were 4-11. 

Stevenson kicks off a three-game homestand Wednesday night when it hosts Hood College in an 8:00 MAC Commonwealth game at Owings Mills Gymnasium.