(box score)
Widener just did not have any answers against a strong Alvernia squad and was dealt an 80-63 Commonwealth Conference loss in Reading, PA.
Alvernia raced to a 44-27 halftime lead by opening the contest on a 26-7 run in the first 11 1/2 minutes. Charles Swiggett scored 16 points in the opening half and Tad Gillis added eight for the Crusaders, who shot 47 percent (16-of-34) from the field in that span with five 3-pointers.
Swiggett closed with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting with four 3-pointers for the Crusaders (10-4, 6-0 CC), who shot 50 percent (27-of-54) from the floor and nailed eight 3-pointers. Gillis ended with 15 points and 10 assists, and Brian Nerney poured in 14 points.
Junior Perry Wright (Severn, MD) scored a career-best 25 points for Widener, easily topping his previous high of 17 points at Lycoming on February 20, 2010. Junior Jack Brennan (Stratford, NJ) hauled in 14 rebounds for the Pride, who posted a 46-40 rebounding edge but shot a mere 34 percent (26-of-76) from the field
Widener (9-7, 4-2) sits in a three-way tie for second place in the conference with Elizabethtown and Albright.
Widener on Saturday closes the first half of league play at home versus Elizabethtown, beginning at 3:00 pm.
