(box score)
Widener cut a 23-point deficit to two before halftime, but could not overcome a strong start by DeSales in the second half for a 77-67 loss at Schwartz Center.
DeSales (13-5) went on a 28-5 run in the opening nine minutes that included the game's first 11 points. Brett Moyer scored 12 points in that span and Greg Peters added four.
Widener (9-9) refused to back down, going on a 34-13 run the remainder of the half to close to 41-39. Sophomore Trey Severs (Ocean City, NJ) scored 11 points in that span, BJ Smith (Baltimore, MD) had eight and fellow junior Perry Wright (Severn, MD) added seven.
The Bulldogs unleashed a 10-0 run in just under three minutes to grab a 58-44 cushion with 11:57 left. Bob Zanneo poured in six points in that span.
The Pride again refused to fold, using a 12-4 run in 4 1/2 minutes for a 66-59 deficit with 5:42 to go. Freshman Bob Makor (Philadelphia, PA) netted four points in the spurt.
But DeSales scored the next seven points for a 73-59 lead with 4:26 to play and was never headed. Brian Kerwin opened things with a 3-pointer and that were followed by layups from Tom Marshall and Zanneo.
Severs ended with a career-best 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting and four 3-pointers for Widener, which shot 37 percent (26-of-71) overall. Brennan had 13 points and 10 rebounds with Smith adding 13 points.
Moyer posted 18 points and 11 rebounds with Zanneo also netting 18 points for DeSales, which shot 52 percent (31-of-60) overall and canned seven 3-pointers. Kerwin poured in 10 points with Brian Hunter adding nine and nine rebounds.
Widener on Saturday returns to Commonwealth Conference play against Messiah, beginning at 7:00 pm.
