(box score)
Despite a great comeback and phenomenal defense, overtime proved to be unkind again for Widener in a 65-61 Commonwealth Conference loss at Messiah in Grantham, PA.
The Pride (8-5, 1-2 CC), who were down 13 in the first half, trailed 53-43 with 7:10 remaining in regulation when the rally began. Sophomore Jack Brennan (Stratford, NJ) netted five points during a 10-0 run that brought Widener to a 53-53 tie with 4:08 left, capped on a 3-pointer from sophomore BJ Smith (Baltimore, MD).
The tussle continued into the waning moments of regulation as Brennan hit 1-of-2 from the line with 36 seconds left for a 56-54 Widener cushion. The Pride had not allowed a basket in almost seven minutes and needed one more stop, but Jamie Yoder hit a layup with 14 seconds to play for a 56-56 tie.
Junior Jarrell Nelson (Waldorf, MD) gave the Pride early momentum in overtime with a three-point play for a 59-56 lead. Following two free throws from Messiah's Derek Mosely, sophomore Onyi Ezeala (Piscataway, NJ) made a layup with 1:56 left for a 61-58 margin.
However, it was that guy Jamie Yoder again who came through for the Falcons (8-4, 1-2). He drilled the tying 3-pointer with 1:39 to play and, following a Widener miss, canned another with 43 seconds left for a 64-61 contest.
Brennan missed a layup and the Pride were awarded the ball back, but Smith and senior Bobby Edmunds (Linwood, NJ) each missed potential tying 3-pointers. Chris Yoder hit 1-of-2 from the stripe with 3.4 seconds remaining for the final.
Brennan did all he could, scoring 21 points to fall one shy of his career best and hauling in eight rebounds for the Pride, who had their six-game winning streak against the Falcons snapped. Nelson added nine points for Widener, which shot just 37 percent (22-of-59) from the field.
Jamie Yoder poured in 17 points and Chris Yoder added 13 for Messiah, which shot 49 percent (23-of-47) from the field despite hitting just 35 percent (6-of-17) in the second half.
It was Widener's second straight overtime contest. The squad was handed a tough 92-87 double-overtime setback Monday at DeSales.
Widener on Wednesday hosts Albright at 8:00 pm.
