News Release

CHESTER, Pa. — Senior Kris Clarkson scored 20 of his team-high 29 points in the second half, helping Widener stay unbeaten with an 86-71 triumph over Goucher at Schwartz Center.

The Pioneers (11-0) outscored the Gophers, 53-35, in the second half by shooting 50 percent (16-of-32) from the field. The team shot 45 percent (28-of-62) overall and was 10-of-18 from 3-point range, continuing what is believed to be the best start in school history.

Clarkson, a four-time Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week this season, shot 11-of-18 from the field and helped Widener gain a 40-35 rebounding advantage. He also finished with four of his team’s seven blocked shots.

Junior Malcolm Thomas scored a career-best 24 points with six 3-pointers, breaking his previous high of 21 points set January 13, 2004 against Albright. Essien Ford netted 15 points with three 3-pointers and fellow junior Terry Smith grabbed eight rebounds for the Pioneers.

James Russo scored 31 points for Goucher (0-11), shot 8-of-16 from 3-point range and grabbed nine rebounds. Jonathan Garritt poured in 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds with Justin Ajose adding 10 points for the Gophers, who shot 13-of-24 from beyond the arc.

Widener closes its regular-season non-conference slate Saturday at Rutgers-Camden, beginning at 1:00 pm.

Goucher vs Widener
1/05/06 8:05 pm at Chester, PA
At Chester, PA
WIDENER 86, GOUCHER 71
GOUCHER (0-11)
James Russo 11-20 1-1 31; Jonathan Garritt 10-22 1-2 24; Justin Ajose 3-5
2-3 10; Tim Merritt 2-4 0-0 4; Jim Sweeney 1-6 0-0 2; Ryan Moreland 0-2 0-0
0; C.J. Snipes 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 27-61 4-6 71.
WIDENER (11-0)
Kris Clarkson 11-18 7-10 29; Malcolm Thomas 7-14 4-5 24; Essien Ford 6-13
0-0 15; Nyere Miller 0-2 6-6 6; Brandon Blakey 2-8 1-4 6; Brooke Tidswell
2-3 0-1 4; Terry Smith 0-2 1-2 1; David Douglas 0-1 1-2 1; Ron Michael 0-1
0-0 0. Totals 28-62 20-30 86.
Goucher.......................   36   35  -   71
Widener.......................   33   53  -   86
3-point goals-Goucher 13-24 (James Russo 8-16; Jonathan Garritt 3-5; Justin
Ajose 2-2; C.J. Snipes 0-1), Widener 10-18 (Malcolm Thomas 6-10; Essien Ford
3-6; Brandon Blakey 1-2). Fouled out--Goucher-Jim Sweeney, Widener-None.
Rebounds-Goucher 35 (James Russo 9; Tim Merritt 9), Widener 40 (Kris
Clarkson 12). Assists-Goucher 3 (Justin Ajose 1; Jonathan Garritt 1; James
Russo 1), Widener 16 (Kris Clarkson 5). Total fouls-Goucher 23, Widener 8.
A-185