News Release

CHESTER, Pa. — Senior Kris Clarkson had career highs with 31 points and 17 rebounds for Widener, which scored the first 10 points of overtime in a 78-67 Commonwealth Conference victory over Lebanon Valley.

Clarkson and junior Essien Ford scored four points apiece in the 10-0 run as Widener (6-0, 1-0 CC) opened a 70-60 lead with 1:12 left. Clarkson, who poured in 10 points in overtime, capped the run with a thunderous dunk following a full-court feed from senior Ron Michael.

The Pioneers shot 64 percent (7-of-11) from the floor in the extra session and held the Dutchmen (2-3, 0-1) to just 14 percent (1-of-7).

Widener scored six consecutive points to open a 53-47 advantage with 8:20 left in regulation, a run capped on a layup from junior Malcolm Thomas. But LVC went on a 13-5 spurt near the end of regulation for a 60-58 edge with 2:17 left. The Dutchmen took the lead when Hunter Bretschneider nailed a 3-pointer.

The Pioneers evened it at 60 with 1:49 to go on Clarkson’s layup and neither team was able to convert several opportunities at the end of regulation.

Clarkson, coming off winning his second straight tournament MVP award at last week’s Gallaudet Holiday Tournament, shot 13-of-24 from the floor over 45 minutes. His previous career highs were 26 points against Juniata from December 7, 2002 and 15 rebounds vs. Moravian on December 2, 2004.

Michael had 14 points and 10 rebounds with Thomas adding nine and six for the Pioneers, who are off to their best start since beginning 7-0 two seasons ago.

Jimmy Curran posted 24 points and nine rebounds with Bretschneider adding 21 points and seven 3-pointers for the Dutchmen, who were held without a basket the first four minutes of overtime. Dan Hogan grabbed 10 rebounds.

Widener shot 47 percent (11-of-30) overall and held to LVC to just 38 percent (23-of-60).

Widener opens a three-game road trip Saturday against Susquehanna in another Commonwealth Conference game. Tip-off is at 3:00 pm.

Lebanon Valley vs Widener
11/29/05 7:00 pm at Chester, PA
At Chester, PA
WIDENER 78, LEBANON VALLEY 67
LEBANON VALLEY (2-3, 0-1 CC)
Jimmy Curran 9-18 4-5 24; H. Bretschneider 7-17 0-0 21; Kyle Enoch 2-10 2-2
8; Dan Hogan 3-3 0-0 6; Dave Kasyan 1-10 4-4 6; Peter Ruth 1-1 0-0 2; Brian
Wolensky 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-60 10-11 67.
WIDENER (6-0, 1-0 CC)
Kris Clarkson 13-24 5-9 31; Ron Michael 5-7 4-8 14; Malcolm Thomas 4-10 0-0
9; Wyatt Haas 3-4 0-0 8; Brandon Blakey 3-8 0-0 7; Essien Ford 2-11 0-2 4;
Terry Smith 1-1 1-1 3; Brooke Tidswell 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 32-68 10-20 78.
Lebanon Valley................   26   34    7  -   67
Widener.......................   28   32   18  -   78
3-point goals-Lebanon Valley 11-23 (H. Bretschneider 7-11; Kyle Enoch 2-9;
Jimmy Curran 2-2; Dave Kasyan 0-1), Widener 4-13 (Wyatt Haas 2-2; Malcolm
Thomas 1-3; Brandon Blakey 1-4; Essien Ford 0-4). Fouled out--Lebanon
Valley-None, Widener-None. Rebounds-Lebanon Valley 37 (Dan Hogan 10),
Widener 42 (Kris Clarkson 17). Assists-Lebanon Valley 12 (Jimmy Curran 3;
Dave Kasyan 3), Widener 12 (Brandon Blakey 4). Total fouls-Lebanon Valley
21, Widener 17. A-215