BOX SCORE

Chester, Pa. (Jan. 20, 2010) - Widener University (8-9, 4-2) put together a pivotal 12-0 run to start the second half and earned a crucial Commonwealth Conference win, a 68-61 decision over Alvernia University (7-5, 3-3) Wednesday evening at Widener.

The outcome splits the two teams which had entered Wednesday's game with identical 3-2 marks in conference play.  The Pride takes third place on its own and Alvernia holds fourth place, one game ahead of Albright College, with one more game left in the first half of the conference schedule.

Alvernia sophomore Alli Toczylowski (Mantua, N.J./Clearview Regional) scored the final two points of the first half to send the Crusaders to the break with a 33-32 lead, but Widener came out hitting its first five shots from the floor plus a free throw to turn the deficit into a 44-33 lead.

Alvernia cut it back to eight points immediately hitting 3-of-4 free throws, but Widener kept the offensive pressure pushing the lead to 14 points twice and eventually as high as 16 points, 64-48 with 4:54 to play.

Widener held a first half lead as high as nine points, but the Crusaders battled back to regain the lead heading into the locker rooms.

Junior Alex Velazquez (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) posted game-highs with 18 points and 11 rebounds while Julie Hahn (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) scored nine points and had seven assists.

The Pride put three players in double figures led by Alex Held with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting.

Alvernia hosts Lycoming College Saturday in a women's and men's double header.

Widener 68, Alvernia 61