CHESTER, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2017) – Seniors
John Fender (Wallingford, Pa.) and
Kendall Green (Mount Laurel, N.J.) combined to score 31 points and dish out 11 assists in their final regular season home game as collegians as the Widener University men's basketball team defeated Hood in an 87-60 rout on Saturday afternoon at the Schwartz Center.
Green and Fender provided the early scoring to help the Pride build up a 7-0 advantage and a lead they would never surrender. Sophomore
Ryan McMahon (Mount Laurel, N.J.) set up Green for a 3-pointer and a layup, and Fender followed with a trifecta of his own. The hosts continued to cash in from long range and went ahead by a 19-6 score courtesy of back-to-back 3-pointers coming off the hands of McMahon and freshman
Connor Laverty (Upper Township, N.J.), and another trey from Green gave Widener a 36-24 advantage at recess.
Widener (14-9, MAC Commonwealth 8-6) started the second half strong with the seniors providing the helpers this time, as Green set up junior
Sam Smith (Wyomissing, Pa.) for a 3-pointer before Fender found junior
Sardayah Sambo (Middletown, Del.) for a dunk. The Pride maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way by never letting Hood get any closer than 11 points, and a layup by Sambo which made it 85-57 with 1:59 remaining provided more than enough insurance to win at home for the ninth time in 12 tries.
Green and Fender, who were recognized for their contributions to the program prior to the contest, led the way for Widener in the lopsided victory. Green finished the game with 17 points and three assists, while Fender contributed 14 points and a career-high eight helpers. Smith and Sambo registered 20 and 18 points, respectively, while also combining to grab 15 rebounds.
Hood (14-9, MAC Commonwealth 6-8) was led by Scott Bolen and Tanner Ruths in the setback. Bolen scored 14 points and pulled down six rebounds, while Ruths netted 12 points and dished out three assists.
Widener will continue its push for its first conference postseason berth in five years when it visits Arcadia on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m.
