CHESTER, Pa. – Playing a team that advanced to the semifinals last season, Widener University men's basketball played a tight first half, but the Christopher Newport Captains pulled away in the second stanza and dealt the Pride a tough 92-81 setback in a non-conference matchup on Saturday afternoon.
 
GAME NOTES

• Kenny Lewis led four players in double figures with 17 points. Pat Holden had 16.
• Connor Laverty had 15 and a team-high seven boards.
• Jared Peters dropped 12 in the game.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Pride started off hot, jumping to a 13-6 lead after five minutes of play, but an ensuing 17-2 run by the Captains put CNU ahead 23-15 with 6:28 to play in the first. The Blue and Gold responded by knocking down three straight baskets in a 10-0 run and cut the Captains' lead to three at halftime.
 
In the second half, CNU scored 13 of the first 19 points and steadily pulled away, eventually leading by as many as 25. Widener chipped away at the lead in the latter stages, cutting it to six on a three-pointer by Laverty at the 45.3 second mark. In the waning moments, CNU converted its free throws to hold onto the win.
 
UP NEXT
The Pride stays at home, hosting Messiah in a MAC Commonwealth battle on Wednesday, January 8. Tipoff from the Schwartz Center is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.