(box score)
Widener struggled early, but turned it on late in the first half and cruised to a 73-54 win over Rutgers-Camden at Schwartz Center.
Rutgers-Camden led for much of the first 12 minutes of the game, a span over which Widener held just two short-lived, one-point leads. Brittany Turner hit a jumper with 10:24 left in the first half that gave the guests a 16-11 lead.
The Pride took over from there, outscoring Rutgers-Camden 35-15 in just over the final 10 minutes of the stanza.
After shooting just 4-of-16 from the floor over the first nine minutes, Widener went on a tear by sinking 13 of its next 19 shots to close the half. Freshman Joanna Persiano (Ventnor, NJ) sparked the momentum shift, coming off the bench to score 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Widener began the second half on a 20-8 run over the first nine minutes, opening its largest lead at 66-39. Freshman Jennifer Egee (Ridley Park, PA) led the surge, recording all 11 of her points over that stretch.
Sophomore Kate Dellinger (Wrightsville, PA) finished with a game-high 17 points and hauled in five offensive rebounds for the Pride (9-1). Vanessa Hejnas (Delran, NJ) chipped in 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting and fellow sophomore Lil Carney (Narberth, PA) matched her season high with nine assists.
Widener's seven-game winning streak is its longest since the 2003-04 squad reeled off eight in a row. The Pride also continued their best start since opening the 1976-77 campaign 11-0.
Turner finished with 15 points and Tina Croxton recorded three blocks for the Lady Raptors (2-6).
Widener next Saturday hosts Rowan for a 1:00 pm start.
