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Having won consecutive Commonwealth Conference games for the first time this season, both on the road, the Albright College men's basketball team returns home to welcome local rival Alvernia. The Lions will be playing for their playoff lives as they attempt to climb back into the Commonwealth picture heading into the final three games of the year.

Previous Meeting

Josh Vargas hit a tough scoop shot with 56 seconds remaining to break a 61-61 tie and eventually allow Alvernia to emerge with a 67-61 victory on January 18.

The Crusaders attempted 30 free throws to Albright's zero in the game, but the Lions still fought back from eight points down before Vargas' back-breaking basket. Derek Hall completed a drop step for two, making it 59-53 Alvernia, and Kyle Jordan stole the ball after a Crusader defensive rebound for another basket. The deficit was cut to two when Hall popped out and got a good bounce off the rim, halving his side's deficit. The Crusaders converted one free throw on each of their next two possessions, but Albright came all the way back to tie after a tough fadeaway by Dave Singleton and a strong finish by Jordan to square things up at 61-61.

Hall finished with 21 points (on 10-of-19 shooting), eight rebounds and three blocked shots. For Alvernia, Brian Nerney had 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

Commonwealth Conference Playoff Picture

Tonight's game is absolutely massive in the Commonwealth playoff picture. Albright (4-6) trails both Alvernia and Widener by two games in the race for the third and fourth places, but is still very much alive with games remaining against both teams. However, an Alvernia win coupled with a Widener victory at last-place Arcadia would put the Lions on the brink of elimination, at three games back with three contests to play.

Albright College Lions (13-8, 4-6 Commonwealth)

Albright has finally found some momentum in league play after losing six of its first eight. The Lions beat second-place Lycoming soundly on the road, 92-77, before defeating Elizabethtown 72-58 on Saturday. Those were two of only three Commonwealth contests for Albright this year to be decided by double-digits.

Senior center Hall is averaging a double-double (15.4 ppg, 10.0 rpg); he leads the league in rebounding and is third in blocked shots (30).

Transfer guard Singleton is the only other Lion averaging in double-figures (10.3 ppg); he averages 3.5 assists per game while fellow point guard Sam Marrella chips in 3.0 apg.

Alvernia College Crusaders (15-6, 6-4 Commonwealth)

Vargas leads the Crusaders in scoring (14.3 ppg), while senior Stefan Thompson averages 12.6 points per game.

Senior Cory Boone is one of the best in the league in the offensive post, and his battle with Hall will be a major key to the game. Boone is shooting 53.1% from the floor while averaging 12.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest.

Alvernia is the defending Commonwealth Conference champions, after beating LVC 57-55 in last year's championship game.

Parking

All visitors tonight are instructed to park in the Shirk Stadium lot on 13th street, behind the away football bleachers.