(box score)
It was nearly déjà vu all over again for the two teams, but Widener's last-second three-pointer wouldn't go and the Pride fell 58-56 to Lebanon Valley in the Commonwealth Conference Semifinals in Annville, PA.
Jordan Stewart buried two free throws to put Lebanon Valley up 58-56 with just 1:56 to play. After the teams exchanged missed field goals on their next two possessions, Widener was left with 17 seconds to tie or go in front and the Dutchmen used both fouls they had to give. Junior Perry Wright (Severn, MD) received the inbounds passon the left wing and had an open look at what would have been the go-ahead 3-pointer, but it fell short.
After trailing 14-9 at the nine-minute mark, Widener went on a 17-1 run over the next five minutes to take its largest lead, 26-15. The Pride went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc over that stretch, receiving 3-pointers from Wright, senior Chris McDevitt (Doylestown, PA) and junior BJ Smith (Baltimore, MD).
Lebanon Valley responded with a 15-4 surge of its own to draw even at 30-30 with 2:51 left in the half, but found itself down 36-30 at halftime.
Widener shot 55 percent (16-of-29) in the first half and limited Lebanon Valley to just 39 percent (11-of-28).
The Dutchmen opened the second half on an 8-0 run over the first 4:16, and only trailed once, by one point, for 33 seconds over the next 11 1/2 minutes.
Freshman Andrew Radomicki (Media, PA) nailed a jumper to give Widener a 52-51 lead with just 4:11 left, but Stewart answered back with a three-pointer just 34 seconds later.
Widener scored on each of its next two possessions, the second of which knotted the score at 56-56 before Stewart's trip to the free throw line.
Junior Jack Brennan (Stratford, NJ) finished with 12 points for the Pride (13-13). Wright finished with 11.
Stewart and Anthony Trautman finished with 18 points each for the Dutchmen (20-6). Danny Brooks chipped in 13.
