GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Senior swingman Mike Christenson (Oakton, Va./Trinity) became the 33rd player to reach 1,000 career points in Grove City College men's basketball history Friday afternoon as the host Wolverines opened the new calendar year with a 69-42 win over Alfred in non-conference action at the Grove City College Arena. 

Christenson entered Friday's game with 978 career points and finished the afternoon with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Christenson reached the 1,000-point mark by scoring a fast break layup with five minutes remaining in the game. That field goal gave Grove City a 61-42 lead and helped contribute to the Wolverines' game-ending 34-8 run.

Grove City led 32-16 at halftime but Alfred cut the lead to 35-34 with 13 minutes left in the second half. Senior guard Kyle Randle (Willowick, Ohio/Eastlake North) helped ignite the run with a three-pointer and a layup while Christenson added a pair of field goals as the lead grew to 44-34 midway through the second half.

Junior center Austin Johncour (Sewickley, Pa./Avonworth) added a field goal in the paint before Randle scored seven straight points, pushing the margin to 55-40. Randle scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half.

Defensively, Grove City blanked Alfred over the final six minutes of the game. The Wolverines also held Alfred scoreless during a 10-minute span of the first half as the Wolverines opened up a 22-9 lead. Freshman guard Kellen Howard (Clarksville, Tenn./Clarksville) drained a three-pointer in the closing moments of the first half to give the Wolverines their 16-point halftime lead.

Grove City finished the game 28 of 59 (48 percent) from the field. Alfred shot 16 of 52 (31 percent). Alfred went 3 for 24 from behind the three-point line. 

Johncour collected seven rebounds for the Wolverines (4-7). Alfred outrebounded Grove City, 38-35. Grove City finished with a season-low seven turnovers while Alfred committed 18 turnovers. 

Randle recorded four assists while junior guard Colton Martin (Centerburg, Ohio/Centerburg) assisted three field goals. 

Nolan Gilbert led Alfred with 23 points. Friday's game marked the first meeting between the teams since Grove City's 60-52 home win February 18, 1998 over the Saxons. 

Grove City (4-7) will host Presidents' Athletic Conference North Division rival Westminster at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.