Peter Alexis Reaching Impressive Heights At Philly U

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was a big win on Wednesday night for the Division II Philadelphia University men's basketball team as the Rams held off an outstanding Kutztown squad, 89-82, to improve to 14-4.

Senior big man Peter Alexis led the way for the Rams with 25 points and 9 rebounds. He did all this damage in just 27 minutes of work as he was hampered by foul trouble and eventually fouled out.

This was just the latest in a career full of big nights for Alexis who is wrapping up an outstanding four year run for the Rams.  This season Alexis is averaging 19.6 points and 9.1 rebounds a game.  He recently became just the seventh player in the history of Philadelphia University men's basketball to reach not just 1,000 career points, but also 1,000 career rebounds. With 1,850 career points, Alexis is actually closing in on becoming just the fourth player in program history to surpass 2,000 career points, but he says milestones aren't a focus for him.

"Once I'm playing I try not to really think about it too much," Alexis tells KYW Newsradio. "Like Coach (Herb) Magee says to me all the time, 'Stuff like that will come, don't worry about it too much while you're playing. Just play your game.' But it's a great accomplishment."

Listen to the entire interview with Philly U's Peter Alexis:

Alexis has never averaged less than 15 points a game with the Rams and his offensive game has developed consistency and versatility during his time at Philly U. He's also proven incredibly durable. He has started 110 of 111 games during his career and he is one of the national leaders this season in minutes per game (39.2). He talks about how his game has grown during his college career.

"It's hard to really pinpoint one thing looking at it right now," Alexis says. "I want to say I grew everywhere. Probably free throws, though. I think my freshman year I was hovering around 50% and now I'm shooting (69.7%)."

The seven-foot Alexis actually came to Philadelphia University as a transfer from Penn State. He talks about the journey from State College to Philadelphia.

"Coach (Patrick) Chambers at Penn State used to play for Coach Magee so he had the contact right there," Alexis says. "He kind of said, 'I know this school, they're going to be graduating a big guy, you'll probably fit right into the system. Their offense really looks to try to get the ball into the paint.' So he hooked me up with Coach Magee, (Associate Head) Coach (Jimmy) Reilly. They came down, showed me a couple videos of how they'd want to use me in the offense and the defense. Took a visit up here, liked what I saw when I came to a game and I just ended up coming here."

And Alexis says it was the right move.

"Fit right in," Alexis says. "Team came together as soon as I came in. It's been a great four years. I've got to thank Coach Magee and Coach Reilly for giving me this opportunity."

Alexis and the Rams will return to the court on Wednesday January 20th when they visit Goldey-Beacom.