News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senior Kris Clarkson had 16 points and 13 rebounds to clinch his second tournament Most Valuable Player award this season in Widener’s 66-61 triumph over the host at the Gallaudet Holiday Tournament.

Widener (5-0) scored nine straight points in the second half to open a 55-44 lead with 9:14 to go. Clarkson netted three points in that span with junior Essien Ford and senior Ron Michael each scoring a pair.

Gallaudet (3-2) made things interesting as Luther Weedon hit a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left to cut Widener’s lead to 64-61. But the Pioneers iced it thanks to Clarkson hitting a free throw with 23 seconds remaining and junior Malcolm Thomas following suit with eight seconds to play.

Clarkson finished the weekend with 37 points and 22 rebounds, helping Widener to its second tournament title of the season after winning last week at Lycoming. Ford also made the all-tournament team, scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds today after posting 17 and three on Friday against Hood.

Thomas poured in 15 points and Michael added 10 and two blocks for the Pioneers, who shot 60 percent (15-of-25) in the first half and 46 percent (26-of-57) overall. It is the team’s best start since opening 7-0 two seasons ago.

Robert Haney Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Bison, who were held to just 37 percent (11-of-30) shooting in the second half.

Widener plays its home and Commonwealth Conference opener Tuesday against Lebanon Valley, beginning at 7:00 pm.

Widener University vs Gallaudet University
11/26/05 3 p.m. at Washington, DC
At Washington, DC
WIDENER UNIVERSITY 66, GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY 61
WIDENER UNIVERSITY (5-0)
Kris Clarkson 7-12 2-6 16; Malcolm Thomas 6-16 2-5 15; Essien Ford 5-15 0-0
13; Ron Michael 4-5 2-2 10; David Douglas 3-5 0-0 8; Wyatt Haas 1-2 0-0 2;
Nyere Miller 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 26-57 8-15 66.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY (3-2)
Robert Haney Jr. 5-15 3-4 14; Frank Jackson 5-14 2-2 13; Luther Weedon 5-7
0-0 12; Jon Mowl 4-8 0-0 9; Kazeem Babatunde 2-5 0-0 4; Matthew Eby 2-2 0-0
4; Brendan Stern 1-4 0-0 3; Matthew Johnson 1-3 0-2 2; Stephen DaSilva 0-1
0-0 0. Totals 25-59 5-8 61.
Widener University............   36   30  -   66
Gallaudet University..........   32   29  -   61
3-point goals-Widener University 6-16 (Essien Ford 3-7; David Douglas 2-2;
Malcolm Thomas 1-5; Nyere Miller 0-1; Wyatt Haas 0-1), Gallaudet University
6-20 (Luther Weedon 2-3; Frank Jackson 1-2; Jon Mowl 1-4; Robert Haney Jr.
1-6; Brendan Stern 1-4; Matthew Johnson 0-1). Fouled out--Widener
University-None, Gallaudet University-Robert Haney Jr.. Rebounds-Widener
University 43 (Kris Clarkson 13), Gallaudet University 32 (Robert Haney Jr.
10). Assists-Widener University 15 (Brooke Tidswell 4), Gallaudet University
12 (Robert Haney Jr. 5). Total fouls-Widener University 14, Gallaudet
University 18. A-175
Gallaudet Holiday Tournament Championship Game