Box Score OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Stevenson men's basketball battled back in the second half before doing just enough to pull ahead late in a tension-filled 93-89 triple-overtime victory against Alvernia on Saturday afternoon in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth play.
Stevenson (7-2, 1-1 MAC Commonwealth) responded from a seven-point halftime deficit, which included a pair of game-tying free throws from Khalil Richard with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation. Richard continued sporting his flair for the dramatic with a go-ahead layup at the 2:27 mark of the triple-overtime stanza, which allowed the Mustangs to close out the game at the foul line. It was all part of a sensational day for Richard, who notched 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting with four rebounds and four assists. Cameron Smith paced the Mustangs with 24 points, notching seven rebounds, while Ronald Ayers dropped in 19 points in his first collegiate start.
Alvernia (6-4, 1-1 MAC Commonwealth) missed the potential game-winner in regulation and again in the first overtime in a back and forth affair. Keon Taylor was masterful for the Golden Wolves, pouring in 29 points with four assists, including 25 points after halftime. Jakob Kelly added 20 points, while Malik Green notched 15 of his own.
- Smith pushed the Mustangs ahead, 5-2 with a triple before the Golden Wolves countered with the next seven points to move in front. Stoudt canned a triple for a 12-7 edge at 13:54 as the Golden Wolves maintained the lead for the rest of the half.
- Jalen Jacox trimmed the deficit to just two with a pair of foul shots, but the veteran Golden Wolves opened up a 9-0 spurt as they pulled in front by a 26-14 margin for their largest lead of the game.
- Richard sunk a timely three-point bucket, slicing the lead to 31-24 at the 1:34 mark of the frame.
- A fast start in the second half, including a layup for Richard, an old-fashioned three-point play from Smith and a jumper from Ayers knotted the score at 31.
- Stevenson continued trying to press the advantage further, but could not separate from the Golden Wolves. Bo Wesley converted inside for the Mustangs' largest lead of the afternoon at 55-45 before the visitors chipped away once again.
- Alvernia reeled off the next 12 points, with six coming courtesy of Taylor, to surge ahead at 61-57. Stevenson promptly tied the score with a three from Ayers with just about one minute left.
- Out of a timeout, Kelly worked open inside for two and a 63-61 Alvernia lead before Richard evened the score at the line.
- The majority of the three overtime sessions were gridlocked or within one possession for both squads.
- Smith finished through contact for a big and-one to ignite the crowd and hand Stevenson a 66-63 advantage. KJ Holton scored for the Mustangs for a two-point edge before the Golden Wolves responded.
- Three foul shots spanning about 30 seconds put Alvernia in front at 73-72 until Smith leveled the score. With 14 seconds left, Richard pushed the Mustangs ahead until Malik Green placed in a timely basket with six ticks left to even the score at 75.
- A pair of Taylor buckets opened up a quick four-point edge for Alvernia in the second overtime until Ayers brought things even with a trey at 2:44.
- Smith finished a stickback attempt with 50 seconds left and a buzzer-beating triple from Ayers would not go as the teams went to a third overtime.
- With things knotted at 84, Richard raced to the far block before hesitating and scoring for what proved to be the go-ahead bucket at 86-84. From there, Stevenson put down seven foul shots to hold on for the 93-89 victory.
- The Mustangs converted at the foul line when it mattered most, drilling seven of the final eight attempts over the last 1:38 in the triple overtime.
- Stevenson has turned up the intensity in the second half through the first week of conference play. After racking up 51 second-half points against Hood, the Mustangs erased a seven-point deficit to tie the score on Saturday. In total, the Mustangs have posted a combined 90 points in the second half of conference play this week.
- Wesley pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds for Stevenson, adding another block. He solidifies his positioning at third all-time in school history with 75 career blocks, now 15 away from tying Keith Holtman (90) for second in program history.
- Stevenson is now 2-0 in overtime games this season, previously holding off Washington (Md.) on November 20 inside Owings Mills Gymnasium.
- Smith (24) and Ayers (19) both had career-highs in the scoring department, each logging over 45 minutes for Stevenson.
- The Mustangs had lost six of the last seven contests to Alvernia prior to Saturday's triumph.
- Alvernia went cold from behind the arc, going just 2-for-11 from deep in the second half and overtime.
- Stevenson hits the road on Wednesday, December 8 at Lebanon Valley for an 8:00 PM tipoff.
- Alvernia hosts Albright on Wednesday, December 8 at 8:00 PM.
