News Release

CHESTER, Pa. — Widener University senior forward Matt Sheaffer scored 31 points, tying his career high as Widener (8-7, 2-3 Commonwealth Conference) knocked off 15th ranked Lebanon Valley (12-2, 4-1 Commonwealth Conference) 75-56 Wednesday night at the Schwartz Athletic Center.

The start of the game was delayed almost two hours due to snowy conditions that hindered Lebanon Valley’s team bus. The Flying Dutchmen, ranked 15th by D3Hoops.com, suffered its first Commonwealth Conference loss.

Sheaffer scored 31 points in a one-point loss to Goucher back on January 4.

Widener held a 37-19 halftime advantage thanks to Sheaffer’s 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field. Widener for the game shot 51 percent (29-of-57) as the Pioneers snapped a two-game slide.

Senior point guard J.D. Byers had a team-high 19 points on 5-of-20 shooting for Lebanon Valley, who suffered their worst loss of the season and first loss since Nov. 20.

After a 6-6 tie with 13:41 left in the opening stanza, Widener took the lead for good as junior guard Brandon Blakey scored on a jumper. Blakey finished with nine points.

Widener took a double digit lead at 20-10 with 8:59 as Blakey scored on a three-pointer. The Pioneers maintained that double-digit for the majority of the game, as LVC would only come within seven at 20-13 with 7:04 left.

Widener took care of the ball as the Pioneers had a season-low nine turnovers.

Sophomore guard Essien Ford had 11 points while junior center Kris Clarkson scored ten.

Senior forward Steve Buzinski scored 17 points for Lebanon Valley, who was out rebounded 33-31. Clarkson posted a double-double for Widener as he grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

Widener will head to Susquehanna Saturday for a 3 p.m. tip-off.

Newspaper Box Score
Lebanon Valley College vs Widener University
1/19/05 8:50 p.m. at Schwartz Athletic Center, Chester, Pa.
At Schwartz Athletic Center, Chester, Pa.
WIDENER UNIVERSITY 75, LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE 56
LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE (12-2, 4-1 CC)
J.D. Byers 5-20 6-6 19; Steve Buzinski 8-11 1-2 17; Jimmy Curran 2-3 1-2 5;
Matt Polinsky 2-2 0-0 4; Brad Stigelman 2-5 0-0 4; Hunter Bretschneider 1-5
0-2 2; Dan Hogan 1-5 0-0 2; Brian Wolensky 1-1 0-0 2; Fred Pope 0-1 1-2 1.
Totals 22-53 9-14 56.
WIDENER UNIVERSITY (8-7, 2-3 CC)
Matt Sheaffer 11-15 4-4 31; Essien Ford 4-9 2-2 11; Kris Clarkson 5-11 0-1
10; Brandon Blakey 4-6 0-2 9; Casey Stitzel 2-8 0-0 5; Malcolm Thomas 1-5
1-2 4; Kofi Dwebeng 1-2 0-0 3; Brooke Tidswell 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 29-57 7-11
75.
Lebanon Valley College........   19   37  -   56
Widener University............   37   38  -   75
3-point goals-Lebanon Valley College 3-12 (J.D. Byers 3-9; Jimmy Curran 0-1;
Hunter Bretschneider 0-2), Widener University 10-18 (Matt Sheaffer 5-6;
Malcolm Thomas 1-3; Casey Stitzel 1-3; Brandon Blakey 1-2; Essien Ford 1-2;
Kofi Dwebeng 1-2). Fouled out--Lebanon Valley College-None, Widener
University-None. Rebounds-Lebanon Valley College 31 (Dan Hogan 8), Widener
University 33 (Kris Clarkson 11). Assists-Lebanon Valley College 8 (Steve
Buzinski 2; Matt Polinsky 2), Widener University 15 (Matt Sheaffer 6). Total
fouls-Lebanon Valley College 15, Widener University 15. A-125
Commonwealth Conference game
Game start delayed 1h 50m due to snowy conditions
Lebanon Valley ranked 15th by D3Hoops.com
Widener snaps two-game losing streak