CHESTER, Pa. (Nov. 19, 2016) – The Widener University men's basketball team fell to Rowan by a 91-87 score in the championship game of the 8th Annual Tip-Off for Autism Awareness Tournament at the Schwartz Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
Widener took an 87-85 lead with just 1:11 remaining and appeared to be in control when sophomore Ryan McMahon (Mount Laurel, N.J.) drove down the left baseline for a layup. The Profs, however, responded by converting six straight shots from the line to close out the game.
 
After Shawn Wilson made both of his attempts with just over a minute remaining to tie the score for the sixth time, Rob DePersia got himself to the stripe to put the Profs ahead. The sophomore was fouled in the corner when going for a loose ball against junior Sam Smith (Wyomissing, Pa.) following a missed 3-point attempt by freshman Connor Laverty (Upper Township, N.J.).
 
The Pride had an opportunity to tie the game when Sardayah Sambo (Middletown, Del.) pulled down an offensive rebound and earned a trip to the line, but both of his attempts rimmed out. DePersia then made two more charity shots to put the game on ice.
 
Rowan (2-1) used the long ball to build up a double-digit lead in the first half and went ahead by a 26-16 score when Jordan Sintras nailed a shot from downtown. But after Joey Montalvo hit a trifecta to make it 29-18 with 10:27 on the clock, Widener got a trey on the other side from Smith and started to rally. Senior Kendall Green (Mount Laurel, N.J.) set up Sambo for a layup to give the Pride a 46-37 advantage in the waning minutes to eventually help the hosts carry a five-point lead into the recess.
 
Widener led for practically the entire second half and led by a 67-60 score when Green took a pass from classmate John Fender (Wallingford, Pa.) and finished on a fast break. The Profs, however, responded with seven unanswered and took a 72-71 advantage at the midway point courtesy of a layup coming off the hands of Teirique Robinson. But even though the Pride regained the lead by as many as eight on a basket by Smith, the visitors once again came from behind and made clutch shots from the line down the stretch to pull out the win.
 
Wilson scored a career-high 30 points for Rowan and was named Tournament MVP for his efforts. He was joined on the all-tournament squad by DePersia, who finished the game with 16 points and seven rebounds to go along with six assists.
 
The Pride were led by Green and Sambo for the second straight game in the setback. Green earned a spot on the all-tournament team by contributing 21 points and three assists, while Sambo notched a double-double with 22 points and 10 boards. McMahon matched two career highs by netting 12 and dishing out six assists.
 
Widener (1-1) will hit the road for the first time this season to face Immaculata on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m.