YORK, PA – The York College men's basketball squad dropped their fourth straight as Alvernia University edged the Spartans 76-69 in MAC Commonwealth action on Saturday afternoon in York. The Spartans lost to the Golden Wolves by the identical score when the two teams met in Reading earlier in the year.
 
Score: York 69, Alvernia 76
Records: York 6-8 (2-7 MAC Commonwealth), Alvernia 10-5 (5-4 MAC Commonwealth)
 
How It Happened
• The opening eight minutes of the game featured back and forth play as neither team was able to have any sustained momentum. The first eight minutes featured five ties and five lead changes as the pace was furious early. The Golden Wolves then hit the Spartans with a 9-2 run as they drilled three triples in a minute and a half span to fuel the spurt.
• Alvernia maintained the lead until York ripped off a 9-1 run to take a 29-28 lead with 6:53 remaining in the first half. After Alvernia recaptured the lead, the Spartans got back-to-back threes from Jackson Mascari and Johnny Kennevan to take a 35-33 advantage. The Spartans would go on to take a 41-36 lead at the break.
• Alvernia came out of the intermission and outscored York 10-5 to tie the game at 46, the sixth tie of the game. York responded by pushing the lead back up to five at 52-47 on a Mark Rachic three from the corner. The Golden Wolves recaptured the lead only to have York take their final lead of the game on a Tristan Kent lay up with 9:49 left in the game. The Spartan offense went dry and Alvernia scored eight straight points to take a 66-59 lead with 8:01 remaining.
• York battled back and cut the lead to one on a Travis Stoll lay-up with two minutes remaining in the game. Malik Green answered with a dagger three late in the shot clock to push the lead to four and York would not get any closer the rest of the way as they weren't able to convert any late opportunities to pressure the Golden Wolves.
 
Spartan Leaders
David Giuliani: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Riley Dobraniecki: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Travis Stoll: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal
Tristan Kent: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocked shots
 
Spartan Stats
The Spartans attempted just eight free throws in the game, their second lowest total of the year … Alvernia was whistled for just eight fouls despite the Spartans pounding the ball inside all game long … the Golden Wolves went to the line 25 times but made just 11 (44%) to keep the Spartans in the game … York shot 53.8% (28-for-52) from the floor, their second best mark of the year … Alvernia became just the second team this year to make double figures in three pointers (11) against the Spartans … Alvernia shot 44% (11-for-25) from three, the highest opponent percentage against York this year … York out-rebounded the Golden Wolves by 13 … York tied their season high with six blocked shots, matching the total from the St. Elizabeth game … Alvernia forced the Spartans into 21 turnovers while the Golden Wolves committed just five miscues … Alvernia outscored York 20-3 in points off turnovers … York held a 38-22 edge in points in the paint … the 27 points scored by Malik Green are the most allowed to an opponent by the Spartans this year … Green was 10-for-15 from the floor including 6-of-9 from three and 1-for-5 at the line.
 
Spartan Notes
The Golden Wolves swept the regular season series and now lead the all-time series against the Spartans 9-6 … York has lost seven straight games to Alvernia … senior Riley Dobraniecki tied his career-high with 13 points as he was 6-10 from the floor including a three pointer … Dobraniecki also had a career-high three assists … Matt Faller tied his career-high with six points on two three-pointers.
 
Up Next
The Spartans head back to the road as they head to Annville, PA to face Lebanon Valley in a MAC Commonwealth contest on Wednesday night. Tip time is scheduled 8:00 pm.