BOX SCORE

Chester, Pa. (Feb. 9, 2011) – Alvernia University (14-5, 9-2) suffered its worst shooting night of the year hitting at just 30 percent Wednesday night in a 69-50 loss at Widener University (10-12, 5-6) in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action.

Both of the top two teams in the league, Alvernia and second ranked Elizabethtown lost on the road creating a three-way tie at 7-4 between Etown, Albright, and Lebanon Valley with Alvernia still two games clear at 9-2 with three games to play.

Despite shooting such a poor percentage early – 5-of-23, 21 percent in the first half -- the Crusaders were able to stick around down just four points, 16-12 with six minutes left in the first half.

Widener scored seven straight points from there to push its lead to 11 points, and eventually to 13 points, 29-16 the advantage it enjoyed at the halftime break.

The 16 points in the first half is the fewest for the Crusaders in any half this season and only the second time the team has been under 25 points in a half.

The second half started just as ominous as the first half ended for the Crusaders who got just one 3 from Stefan Thompson (Philadelphia, Pa./G.A.M.P.) while the Pride ran off 11 points for a 21 point lead 40-19 with 16:55 to play.

Alvernia cut that Widener lead down to 13 points twice then down to 11 points on a 3 from freshman reserve Will Harmon (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) with 5:19 to go, but Widener responded with 11 straight points to double its lead to 22 points with under two minutes to play.

Bob Makor hit 6-of-9 shots from the floor and finished with a game-high 16 points for the Pride. He was one of three players to reach double figures for the hosts. Alvernia got 11 points from Tad Gillis (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) and 10 from Brian Nerney (Middletown, N.J./Red Bank Catholic).

The Crusaders return home to host Lycoming College on Saturday.

Widener 69, Alvernia 50