MADISON, N.J. (Dec. 17, 2014) – Junior guard Mike Klinger surpassed the 1,000 career points milestone as the Drew University men's basketball team fell to Widener University, 80-69, on Wednesday evening in non-conference action in Baldwin Gymnasium.
 
Klinger became the 18^th member of the Drew University Men's Basketball 1,000 Point Club with a made free throw with 47 seconds remaining in the game. He would add two more to finish with a game-high 27 points for the Rangers (6-3), but the Pride (9-2) held their double-digit lead down the stretch to pick up the victory.
 
Widener led by as many as 19 points two minutes into the second half after taking a 42-28 advantage into the intermission. Led by the three-point shooting by Klinger, junior guard Kevin Herring II and senior guard Steve Hydzik, the Rangers cut the Widener lead to 62-58. Klinger converted a three-point play with 8:10 remaining again to keep the game within four points, 65-61.
 
The Pride would respond with a 14-4 run over the final eight minutes to re-secure their lead and coast to the win. Despite the loss, Klinger recognized the significant milestone he earned in front of his family and home fans.
 
"It's a tremendous individual accomplishment and it shows that hard work can pay off," said Klinger, who increased his scoring average to 20.4 points per game this season. "I do think of this milestone as a checkpoint because of how much basketball I have left in front of me. I want to accomplish everything possible with this group of teammates, and I'm just happy that I can contribute by scoring points. That's what this accomplishment is all about; it means I have helped my team."
 
Head coach Darryl Keckler had to naturally look past a team loss fresh in his mind, but still found the words to describe Klinger, his team captain, and what he means to the Rangers on a special night in his career.
 
"Mike is not only a special player; he's a special kid," the seventh-year head coach said. "He's a hard worker and embodies everything we're looking for in this program. He works hard in the classroom, and on top of that he scored 1,000 points in under two and a half years. Tonight was a tough night for the team, but Mike showed his toughness by staying in the game and fighting until the end. He's been like that since he first walked on this campus."
 
Klinger shot 8-of-15 from the floor and made 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line to make up his 27 points. He added six rebounds, two assists and four steals in the setback.
 
Drew kept the contest close through the first 10 minutes of the game before Widener pulled away. The Rangers held a five-point lead at 9-4 after a jumper by junior swingman Ozan Yucetepe (10 points). Herring II finished with 15 points, while junior forward Jason Huelbig added nine.
 
The Pride dominated the battle under the rim as they outrebounded the Rangers 44-23 and outscoring Drew 36-24 in the paint. The rebounding advantage was evident on the offensive end as Widener converted 18 second chance points off offensive rebounds.
 
Drew returns to action after the Holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 7:00 p.m. to host Amherst College, currently ranked No. 15 in the nation by D3Hoops.com, in Baldwin Gymnasium.