Boxscore FREDERICK, Md. – Kenny Lewis and Connor Laverty went for 22 points each, lifting the Widener University men's basketball team to an 87-70 victory over the Hood College Blazers in the MAC Commonwealth semifinal on Thursday night.

Widener will face Arcadia University in the MAC Commonwealth title game on Saturday, February 23. This is the first finals appearance for the Pride since the 2008-09 season.

How it happened
Trailing 10-6 early in the first, Widener used an 11-0 run to take a five-point edge at the 11:55 mark. Hood foul trouble put Widener in the bonus seven minutes before the break. Connor Laverty knocked down a pair of free throws, giving WU a 25-19 advantage. On the Blue and Gold's next possession, Laverty hit a three, stretching the lead to nine. Keeping the pressure throughout the half, Jared Peters converted on a tough and-one after a strong drive and finish, giving the Pride its largest margin of the first half at 15 with two minutes to play. The Blazers narrowed the gap to 11 at the intermission.

A Jalen Howard midrange jumper followed by defensive stop and a Connor Laverty three-pointer put the Pride up 16 less than two minutes into the second half. Maintaining the momentum, Elijah Boyd drained a three with 10:54 left to give the Pride a 15-point edge. Hood came back with free-throw and bucket, cutting it to 12 just under the 10 minute mark. Kenny Lewis was tenacious on the boards in the second, creating multiple scoring chances for the Pride and helping it build a 67-50 advantage with 6:30 remaining in regulation. 18 seconds later, Lewis netted a layup, forcing the largest deficit of the night for Hood at 21 points. Hood mounted somewhat of a comeback effort, decreasing the lead to 14. Connor Laverty immediately eradicated all comeback hopes, sinking a dagger from three on the very next play and sealing the victory for Widener.

By the numbers

• Lewis' career-night came on 53 percent shooting. The freshman also recorded a career, and game, high 15 rebounds.
• Laverty shot 61.5 percent from the field and knocked down four of his five shots from deep
• Elijah Boyd had 17 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc.
• Jared Peters was the fourth Pride player in double-digits, going for 10.
• Widener outrebounded Hood 49-29
• WU shot 50 percent from the floor
• The defense forced nine turnovers and held Hood to 18.5 percent from deep