News Release

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Junior Essien Ford scored 17 points and freshman Nyere Miller hit all eight of his team’s free throw attempts in overtime for Widener en route to a 74-67 Commonwealth Conference triumph at Juniata.

The Pioneers (17-3, 7-3 CC) opened their biggest lead, 51-40, with 10:30 left on a 3-pointer from Ford. But the Eagles (10-11, 5-5) began chipping away and grabbed the lead, 56-54, with 2:26 left on Tommy McConnell’s 3-pointer.

Senior Brooke Tidswell hit two free throws for Widener to tie it, but Chris Jasiota followed suit with 1:43 remaining for a 58-56 Juniata edge. Junior Malcolm Thomas responded for the Pioneers on a jumper with 1:17 left for a 58-58 tie.

Senior Brandon Blakey committed a turnover in the final minute for Widener, but Juniata could not capitalize as Travis Boyd missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Widener did not trail in overtime, scoring the first eight points over 2 1/2 minutes for a 66-58 edge. Junior Terry Smith netted four points in that run with Clarkson and Thomas each adding a pair.

McConnell made 1-of-2 from the stripe and Aaron Chamberlain drilled a 3-pointer with 1:18 left to bring Juniata within 66-62. But Widener’s lead would get no smaller thanks to Miller hitting his foul shots over the final 37 seconds to help give his team its fifth victory in seven outings.

Ford shot 6-of-13 from the field, helping Widener hit for 55 percent (11-of-20) in the second half and 48 percent (26-of-54) overall. Thomas finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, Clarkson poured in 14 points and Tidswell added 10 for the Pioneers.

McConnell and Boyd scored 14 points apiece and Chamberlain added 11 for Juniata, which shot 52 percent (14-of-27) in the second half and 41 percent (26-of-64) overall.

Widener will be in a first-place tie with the winner of Saturday night’s contest between Messiah and Albright in Reading, PA. Widener returns home Wednesday for a crucial game against Albright at 8:00 pm, preceded by the women’s contest at 6:00 pm.

Widener University vs Juniata College
2/04/06 2:00 at Huntingdon, PA (Memorial Gym)
At Huntingdon, PA (Memorial Gym)
WIDENER UNIVERSITY 74, JUNIATA COLLEGE 67
WIDENER UNIVERSITY (17-3, 7-3 Comm.)
Essien Ford 6-13 1-2 17; Kris Clarkson 6-9 2-4 14; Malcolm Thomas 6-14 0-1
14; Brooke Tidswell 4-4 2-2 10; Nyere Miller 0-2 8-8 8; Terry Smith 3-5 1-2
7; Ron Michael 0-2 2-2 2; Brandon Blakey 1-3 0-0 2; Wyatt Haas 0-2 0-0 0.
Totals 26-54 16-21 74.
JUNIATA COLLEGE (10-11, 5-5 Comm.)
Travis Boyd 5-11 0-0 14; Tommy McConnell 6-13 1-2 14; Aaron Chamberlain 4-9
0-0 11; Nick Hager 3-7 0-0 8; Chris Jasiota 2-9 3-4 7; Brent Ferko 3-5 0-0
6; Brian Cannon 2-7 0-0 4; Neil Holloway 1-2 0-0 2; Jeff Byer 0-1 1-2 1;
Justin Price 0-0 0-0 0; Kyle Opitz 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-64 5-8 67.
Widener University............   27   31   16  -   74
Juniata College...............   23   35    9  -   67
3-point goals-Widener University 6-16 (Essien Ford 4-9; Malcolm Thomas 2-5;
Nyere Miller 0-1; Wyatt Haas 0-1), Juniata College 10-26 (Travis Boyd 4-8;
Aaron Chamberlain 3-6; Nick Hager 2-6; Tommy McConnell 1-4; Brent Ferko
0-2). Fouled out--Widener University-Brandon Blakey; Terry Smith, Juniata
College-Nick Hager. Rebounds-Widener University 36 (Malcolm Thomas 7),
Juniata College 34 (Chris Jasiota 8). Assists-Widener University 15 (Brandon
Blakey 5), Juniata College 13 (Tommy McConnell 7). Total fouls-Widener
University 16, Juniata College 20. A-815