News Release

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. — Widener used a second-half onslaught to clinch a berth in the Commonwealth Conference Tournament and take over sole possession of first place with an 80-57 triumph at Elizabethtown.

Widener (19-3, 9-3 CC) put the contest out of reach thanks to an 18-2 spurt, turning a 55-47 lead with 7:42 left into a 73-49 margin with 2:59 remaining. Junior Malcolm Thomas scored seven points in that span with senior Kris Clarkson adding five.

Their efforts helped the Pioneers outscore the Blue Jays, 51-25, in the second half by shooting 63 percent (17-of-27) from the floor. Elizabethtown (14-8, 6-6) was limited to just 33 percent (9-of-27) shooting after intermission and 38 percent (23-of-60) overall.

Clarkson and junior Essien Ford scored 20 points with Thomas adding 17 and 10 rebounds for Widener, including a team-high 13 points in the second half. Senior Brooke Tidswell contributed 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Pioneers, who shot 53 percent (28-of-53) overall and were 20-of-27 from the line.

It was an historic day for Clarkson as the conference Player-of-the-Year candidate became the 23rd player in school history to reach 1,000 career points. The four-year standout, who also finished today with six steals, four blocks and four assists, is at 1,004 career points.

Chad Piersol scored 14 points, Brad Schreiber netted 12 and Brian Schreiber added 11 and eight for the Blue Jays.

The victory, coupled with Messiah's home loss to Moravian, puts Widener alone atop the conference. The Pioneers can clinch the No. 1 seed with a victory Tuesday at Moravian and a Messiah loss that night to Elizabethtown. Widener also is going for its 12th 20-win season in school history.

Tuesday's game is at 8:00 pm, preceded by the women's contest at 6:00 pm.

Widener University vs Elizabethtown College
2/11/06 2:00 p.m. at Thompson Gymnasium, Elizabethtown, Pa.
At Thompson Gymnasium, Elizabethtown, Pa.
WIDENER UNIVERSITY 80, ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE 57
WIDENER UNIVERSITY (19-3, 9-3)
Essien Ford 6-12 5-7 20; Kris Clarkson 6-11 8-12 20; Malcolm Thomas 6-17 5-6
17; Brooke Tidswell 6-6 2-2 14; Ron Michael 2-5 0-0 4; Nyere Miller 1-1 0-0
3; David Douglas 1-1 0-0 2; Terry Smith 0-0 0-0 0; Daeshawn Branch 0-0 0-0
0; Wyatt Haas 0-0 0-0 0; Brandon Blakey 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-53 20-27 80.
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE (14-8, 6-6)
Chad Piersol 6-10 0-0 14; Brad Schreiber 4-10 4-4 12; Brian Schreiber 4-11
1-2 11; Bryce Rodgers 2-3 0-0 4; Greg Brizek 2-6 0-0 4; Rob Fusaro 1-1 0-0
3; Brian Goodwin 1-2 0-0 2; Greg Adams 1-3 0-1 2; Kris Kieres 1-4 0-0 2;
Michael Schatzmann 1-5 0-0 2; Jordan Dirago 0-0 1-2 1; Phil Schaffer 0-0 0-0
0; Justin Shade 0-0 0-0 0; Ben Schlosser 0-1 0-0 0; Luke Ledyard 0-4 0-0 0.
Totals 23-60 6-9 57.
Widener University............   29   51  -   80
Elizabethtown College.........   32   25  -   57
3-point goals-Widener University 4-10 (Essien Ford 3-6; Nyere Miller 1-1;
Malcolm Thomas 0-3), Elizabethtown College 5-12 (Chad Piersol 2-2; Brian
Schreiber 2-4; Rob Fusaro 1-1; Greg Brizek 0-2; Kris Kieres 0-1; Michael
Schatzmann 0-2). Fouled out--Widener University-None, Elizabethtown
College-None. Rebounds-Widener University 36 (Malcolm Thomas 10),
Elizabethtown College 32 (Brian Schreiber 8). Assists-Widener University 15
(Kris Clarkson 4; Malcolm Thomas 4), Elizabethtown College 12 (Greg Adams
4). Total fouls-Widener University 11, Elizabethtown College 19. A-450