CHESTER, Pa. – The Widener University women's basketball team began MAC Commonwealth play at home against Lebanon Valley on Wednesday night, but ultimately fell to the Dutchmen by a final score of 67-61.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Charlotte Stern netted a career-high 11 points and led the Pride with two blocks – both of which came in a tight fourth quarter.
• Jordan D'Ambrosio also reached double-digits with a team best 13 points and added three assists.
• Nicole Barnes led the way defensively with nine rebounds and two steals while chipping in eight in the scoring column.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Widener opened the contest strong from the field, knocking down three of its first four shots, including two from beyond the arc. The Dutchmen matched the Pride's hot shooting for much of the frame, but a pair of buckets from Gianna Samuels and Barnes in the quarter's final minutes put WU up 17-13 after one.
• WU was able to hold LVC to just 3-of-12 shooting in the second, but 10 made free throws by the Dutchmen kept the game even as they took a one-point advantage into halftime.
• The Blue and Gold's shooting cooled in the third while Lebanon Valley capitalized on its midpoint adjustments, draining 60 percent of their attempts and outscoring the Pride 23-11.
• In the final frame, Widener clawed its way back from down by as many as 12. A Barnes and-one with 7:06 remaining cracked open a 10-2 Pride run that was capped off by another and-one from D'Ambrosio to bring WU back within three. D'Ambrosio would hit the next two Widener baskets to keep the team within striking distance, but LVC would knock down its final free throws to hold onto the narrow lead and deal the Pride its first conference setback of the season.

 
UP NEXT
Widener continues MAC Commonwealth action this Saturday, Dec. 4 when it hits the road to face the Blazers of Hood College. Opening tip-off from Frederick, Md. is scheduled for 1 p.m.