News Release

CHESTER, Pa. — Senior Kris Clarkson needed just one half to sew up his sixth straight double-double, helping Widener remain unbeaten with an 84-50 triumph over Immaculata at Schwartz Center.

Clarkson poured in 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the opening half, when the Pioneers (10-0) shot 54 percent (22-of-41) from the floor and owned a 38-7 rebounding edge for a 53-19 lead. Senior Malcolm Thomas netted a team-high 12 points in the first 20 minutes.

The Mighty Macs (1-9) shot only 18 percent (5-of-28) in the first half.

Clarkson, named Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week on Monday for the fourth time this season, ended with 16 points and 13 rebounds over 22 minutes as Widener continued what is believed to be its best start in school history. Thomas poured in 14 points, junior Essien Ford and senior Brooke Tidswell netted 11 apiece and freshman Nyere Miller scored 10 off the bench.

The Pioneers finished shooting 45 percent (35-of-78) from the field with a season-best 10 three-pointers, thanks to three apiece from Ford and Miller. Junior Terry Smith grabbed nine rebounds as Widener owned a 62-22 edge.

Kyle Finklea scored 14 points and Justin Byrne added seven off the bench for Immaculata, which was held to only 34 percent (18-of-53) from the floor.

Widener returns to action January 5 at home against Goucher, beginning at 8:00 pm. Preceding that game, the Pioneers’ women’s team hosts Scranton at 6:00 pm.

Immaculata vs Widener
12/22/05 7:00 pm at Chester, PA
At Chester, PA
WIDENER 84, IMMACULATA 50
IMMACULATA (1-9)
Kyle Finklea 5-13 2-2 14; Justin Byrne 3-3 1-1 7; Dan Freed 3-6 0-0 6;
Reggie Strickland 2-9 2-2 6; Joe Slavick 2-3 0-1 4; Dan Lepone 1-5 1-3 3;
Julius Lopez 1-2 0-0 3; Sean Fordham 0-3 2-4 2; James Fundaro 1-1 0-0 2;
Mitchell White 0-3 2-4 2; Tim Nesmith 0-1 1-2 1; Leon Wilson 0-2 0-0 0;
Darnell Forde 0-1 0-0 0; Kris Behm 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-53 11-19 50.
WIDENER (10-0)
Kris Clarkson 8-14 0-0 16; Malcolm Thomas 6-12 0-0 14; Essien Ford 4-12 0-0
11; Brooke Tidswell 5-8 1-1 11; Nyere Miller 3-4 1-2 10; Brandon Blakey 2-4
0-0 6; Terry Smith 3-7 0-0 6; Wyatt Haas 2-5 1-2 5; David Douglas 2-7 0-0 4;
Daeshawn Branch 0-2 0-0 0; Mike Briscella 0-1 0-0 0; David Clark 0-2 0-0 0.
Totals 35-78 4-9 84.
Immaculata....................   19   31  -   50
Widener.......................   53   31  -   84
3-point goals-Immaculata 3-7 (Kyle Finklea 2-2; Julius Lopez 1-2; Dan Freed
0-1; Mitchell White 0-1; Kris Behm 0-1), Widener 10-23 (Nyere Miller 3-3;
Essien Ford 3-7; Malcolm Thomas 2-4; Brandon Blakey 2-4; David Douglas 0-2;
Daeshawn Branch 0-1; Wyatt Haas 0-2). Fouled out--Immaculata-None,
Widener-None. Rebounds-Immaculata 22 (Kyle Finklea 4), Widener 62 (Kris
Clarkson 13). Assists-Immaculata 6 (Kyle Finklea 1; Sean Fordham 1; Kris
Behm 1; James Fundaro 1; Justin Byrne 1; Tim Nesmith 1), Widener 14 (Brandon
Blakey 5). Total fouls-Immaculata 7, Widener 16. A-135