News Release

CHESTER, Pa. — Senior Kris Clarkson scored 26 points and junior Malcolm Thomas netted 20 as Widener pulled away in the second half for a 72-55 Commonwealth Conference victory over Juniata at Schwartz Center.

Strong inside play and solid defense helped the Pioneers (13-1, 3-1 CC) go on a 15-1 run to open a 72-47 cushion with 3:18 remaining. Junior center Terry Smith scored five points off the bench in that stretch with Clarkson and Thomas each netting four.

Widener allowed Juniata (7-8, 2-2) to score only two innocuous baskets over the final 8:50 and to shoot just 38 percent (9-of-24) after intermission. The Pioneers shot 46 percent (25-of-54) overall and the Eagles hit for 43 percent (22-of-51).

Clarkson grabbed nine rebounds to just miss his 11th double-double of the season and scored 16 points after intermission. Smith and senior Ron Michael netted eight points apiece.

Chris Jasiota scored 14 points and Brian Cannon added 11 for Juniata.

This was Widener’s first game since its first loss of the season Wednesday at reigning conference champion Albright. The Pioneers, who have received votes in the last five D3Hoops.com polls, were one of six undefeated Division III teams in the country entering that contest.

Widener is home Wednesday to host Moravian, beginning at 8:00 pm.

Juniata vs Widener
1/14/06 3:00 pm at Chester, PA
At Chester, PA
WIDENER 72, JUNIATA 55
JUNIATA (7-8, 2-2 CC)
Chris Jasiota 5-12 4-6 14; Brian Cannon 5-13 0-0 11; Nick Hager 3-5 0-2 7;
Travis Boyd 3-8 0-0 7; Brent Ferko 2-4 0-0 4; Kyle Opitz 1-2 1-2 4; Aaron
Chamberlain 1-5 0-0 3; Neil Holloway 1-1 0-0 2; Jeff Byer 1-1 0-0 2. Totals
22-51 6-14 55.
WIDENER (13-1, 3-1 CC)
Kris Clarkson 9-14 8-11 26; Malcolm Thomas 6-11 5-5 20; Terry Smith 3-4 2-3
8; Ron Michael 3-5 2-4 8; Essien Ford 3-11 1-2 7; Brandon Blakey 1-3 0-0 3;
Nyere Miller 0-1 0-0 0; Wyatt Haas 0-3 0-0 0; David Douglas 0-2 0-0 0.
Totals 25-54 18-25 72.
Juniata.......................   30   25  -   55
Widener.......................   36   36  -   72
3-point goals-Juniata 5-14 (Brian Cannon 1-1; Travis Boyd 1-5; Nick Hager
1-3; Aaron Chamberlain 1-3; Kyle Opitz 1-2), Widener 4-12 (Malcolm Thomas
3-6; Brandon Blakey 1-1; Essien Ford 0-3; Nyere Miller 0-1; Wyatt Haas 0-1).
Fouled out--Juniata-None, Widener-None. Rebounds-Juniata 31 (Travis Boyd 6),
Widener 35 (Kris Clarkson 9). Assists-Juniata 13 (Brian Cannon 3; Chris
Jasiota 3; Travis Boyd 3), Widener 15 (Brandon Blakey 6). Total
fouls-Juniata 18, Widener 15. A-385