READING, Pa. – Sam Smith hit a clutch three-pointer with a minute remaining, but a jumper and pair of free throws allowed the Albright Lions to escape with an 82-79 MAC Commonwealth victory on Saturday afternoon.
 
Both teams shot the lights out to start the game as the Pride went 8-for-11 and Albright connected on 9-of-15 shot as the score was tied at 21-21 nine minutes into the contest. After a trey for the Blue and Gold, the Lions went on an 11-0 run before Widener countered with a 16-8 spurt as the two teams went into the locker room tied at 42-42.
 
Neither team held more than a six-point lead for the duration of the second half. With the score deadlocked at 74-74, the teams traded baskets down the stretch before Smith's triple put the Pride up 79-78. With seven seconds remaining, however, Albright connected on a jumper and added two free throws to seal the final score.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Sardayah Sambo led the Pride with a season-high 22 points, shooting 9-of-15 from the floor.  
• Smith's 21 were also a season-best.
• Elijah Boyd reached double figures for the 11th time this season with 11.
• For the game, Widener shot 52.5 percent from the field including an eye-popping 64 percent in the first half.

 
FIRST HALF NOTES

• The first half featured six ties and seven lead changes.
• Sambo tallied 16 of his points in the opening 20 minutes while Smith had 14.
• Widener hit 10 of its first 13 shots, building a 26-23 lead.

 
SECOND HALF NOTES

• After the Pride netted the first points of the frame, Albright held the lead for the majority of the period before a three-pointer by Boyd put the Blue and Gold up 68-67 with 6:41 remaining.
• From there, neither team held more than a two point lead until the final buzzer as there were three ties and five lead changes in the final seven minutes.
• The Pride committed just four turnovers in the half.

 
UP NEXT
Widener returns home on Tuesday, Jan. 23 when it plays its final non-conference game of the year, hosting the Gallaudet Bison at 7:00 p.m.