News Release

CHESTER, Pa. — Senior Ron Michael ended with 18 points along with 14 rebounds and keyed the decisive run for Widener in a 75-60 Commonwealth Conference victory over Moravian at Schwartz Center.

Michael netted seven points to help the Pioneers (14-1, 4-1 CC) score 16 straight early in the second half for a 54-31 lead with 13:51 remaining. Junior Essien Ford scored five points in that stretch.

The Greyhounds (5-11, 0-5) moved to 68-59 with 2:20 remaining on a free throw from Justin Chestnut, but the Pioneers ended the contest on a 7-1 run for their second straight victory.

Michael shot 7-of-10 from the floor and notched his second double-double of the season. His effort helped Widener shoot 48 percent (30-of-63) overall, including 48 percent (14-of-29) in the second half.

Senior Kris Clarkson poured in a game-high 23 points, junior Malcolm Thomas netted 14 and Ford added 10.

Mark Franzyshen had 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Moravian, which shot only 36 percent (10-of-28) after intermission. Chestnut scored 11 points and Zach Zsilavecz contributed 10 and seven rebounds.

The win also marked the 150th victory for Dave Duda as head coach. He is 150-94 overall in 10 seasons and 134-63 in eight seasons with the Pioneers.

Widener on Saturday visits Messiah for an 8:00 pm tip-off.

Moravian vs Widener
1/18/06 8:15 pm at Chester, PA
At Chester, PA
WIDENER 75, MORAVIAN 60
MORAVIAN (5-11, 0-5 CC)
Mark Franzyshen 6-10 5-7 17; Justin Chestnut 4-5 2-4 11; Zach Zsilavecz 4-10
2-2 10; Eric Whitman 3-6 1-4 8; Ryan Miller 2-4 0-0 5; Michael Clemente 2-7
0-0 4; Ed Reid 1-8 1-2 3; Matt Devlin 1-4 0-0 2; Greg Jones 0-1 0-0 0; Chris
Earley 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 23-57 11-19 60.
WIDENER (14-1, 4-1 CC)
Kris Clarkson 10-17 3-10 23; Ron Michael 7-10 4-8 18; Malcolm Thomas 5-16
2-4 14; Essien Ford 4-15 0-0 10; Wyatt Haas 2-3 0-1 5; Nyere Miller 1-1 0-0
3; Brandon Blakey 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 30-63 9-23 75.
Moravian......................   30   30  -   60
Widener.......................   38   37  -   75
3-point goals-Moravian 3-13 (Ryan Miller 1-1; Justin Chestnut 1-2; Eric
Whitman 1-3; Ed Reid 0-1; Michael Clemente 0-4; Zach Zsilavecz 0-2), Widener
6-13 (Malcolm Thomas 2-6; Essien Ford 2-4; Wyatt Haas 1-2; Nyere Miller
1-1). Fouled out--Moravian-Matt Devlin, Widener-Malcolm Thomas.
Rebounds-Moravian 37 (Mark Franzyshen 10), Widener 40 (Ron Michael 14).
Assists-Moravian 10 (Chris Earley 2; Zach Zsilavecz 2; Ed Reid 2; Justin
Chestnut 2), Widener 20 (Kris Clarkson 7). Total fouls-Moravian 19, Widener
15. A-405