CHESTER, Pa. – Four players finished in double-figures as the Widener University men's basketball team bested the second place team in the MAC Commonwealth, Hood College, 65-58 on Saturday afternoon. WU now sits at 7-4 in conference play. 

Tight throughout, both teams struggled to create a significant advantage. Widener's biggest lead in the first half came at the 8:41 mark when Jared Peters knocked down a three-pointer, putting the Pride up five. An 8-0 run by the Blazers left Widener faced with a three point deficit that was quickly wiped away thanks to buckets from Elijah Boyd and Connor Laverty. Widener closed out the first half on a 10-5 run, walking into the locker room up three.

Hood came out hot to begin the second, hitting four of its first five shots to go up four. A three-pointer from Laverty and a bucket from Ryan McMahon evened the score at 41 with 15:10 remaining. The teams traded baskets until the four minute mark, then Widener went on an 11-4 run capped off by another Laverty three-point dagger. Free-throws by Peters in the closing seconds cemented the final score.

By the Numbers:

• Laverty led all scorers, finishing with 19 points while shooting 63 percent from deep
• Kenny Lewis had 10 points on 75 percent shooting. The freshman also grabbed seven boards
• McMahon posted a casual 10, six, and six (light work)
• Jalen Howard was sharing it too, recording a career-high five assists
• Off the bench, Peters notched eight points and five dimes
• Boyd finished 14 points, knocking down some clutch three's in crunch-time
• WU's 21 assists is third most on the season (23 at Hood 12/08 & 22 vs. Lycoming 12/15)
• The Pride dominated the battle on the boards, outrebounding the Blazers 42-28

 
Up Next:
Widener hits the road, traveling to Lebanon Valley College to face the Dutchmen on Wednesday January 30 at 8:00 p.m.