CHESTER, Pa. – The Widener men's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season Friday night by playing tough against Neumann in the 12^th annual Widener Tip-Off Tournament for Autism Awareness, but the Pride dropped a 92-85 contest to the Knights at Schwartz Athletic Center.
 
Pat Holden paced the Pride with 20 points and six assists. Matt Daulerio added 19 points and Jared Peters chipped in 10 for the Blue and Gold. 
 
Steven Matlack led the Pride in rebounds with 10. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST NEUMANN

• Playing in front of loud crowd of 320 people, the Pride led for the majority of the contest, taking a a lead as high as eight (36-28) in the first half and held a 68-67 advantage with 7:45 left in the game.
• The Knights rallied in the second half by going on a 9-4 run in two minutes from 9:19-7:17 to take a 70-68 lead they would not relinquish.
• The Pride kept the game close in the final minutes, but the Knights pulled away after making eight of their 22 made fouls shots in the final seven minutes.
• Even though they lost, the Pride still had a strong second-half showing, making 51.6 percent of their field goals (16-for-31) and 50 percent from the three-point line (6-for-12).
• Holden had the best shooting night for Widener, going 5-for-9 from the field, 2-for-5 from three-point land, and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line.

 
UP NEXT
The Pride will face Arcadia in Saturday's consolation game. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Neumann will face Stockton in the championship game at 4 p.m.