Cresson, PA - The Mount Aloysius Men's Basketball team won its first ever home post-season game, defeating D'Youville College 72-57 on Wednesday evening.

With an intense, loud crowd behind them, the Mounties quickly built a lead over the Spartans. After allowing an early three, the Mounties used three quick buckets inside to move ahead. When a D'Youville three put the Spartans up two, the Mounties responded with a 9-0 run over 2 minutes. Carlos Palacio (Bilbao, Spain/Phelps School) got things started with a three off of a pick and pop play. Julian Stover (Washington, DC/Richard Montgomery) and Imrane Amadou (Cotonou, Benin/Harcum Junior College) both scored inside on consecutive possessions and Stover capped the run off with a pull up three to force a D'Youville timeout. The Mounties continued to push the lead throughout the middle portion of the half, hitting its high water mark of 13 after a Stover lay-up. D'Youville closed the half on a 17-2 run to take a 33-31 lead into halftime.

After the break, Junior Nate Christian ( Accokeek, MD/Surratsville/Hood) took over. Christian scored 15 points in the second half, including a 3 minute span when he scored 9 straight for the Mounties. The first of these gave the Mounties the lead for good. After D'Youville cut the lead to 6 with 8:37 to go, Christian came up big as he hit a three while being fouled. Although he missed the free throw, the play re-energized the crowd, setting the tone for the final 8 minutes. While the Mounties returned to their stout defensive ways, holding the Spartans to only 12 points over the final 8 minutes, they also hit their free throws to put the game away, as Stover hit 5 of 6 and Josiah Jones (Gaithersburg, MD/Magruder) hit all 6.

Christian led Mountie scorers with 20 points. Stover finished just behind him with 19. Palacio recorded his 3rd double-double of the season with 11 Points and 12 rebounds. Tommy Pisula had a huge game on the boards for the Mounties, pulling in 13 in total and 8 on the offensive end. 

The win moves the Mounties into the semifinal round of the AMCC Tournament, where they will take on the top seeded LaRoche Redhawks. The Game will be on Saturday evening, with the tip coming at 5:00 PM.