Chester, Pa. (Feb. 14, 2015) - Junior Chuck Cooper knocked down five 3s and scored a game-high 22 poitns to lead Alvernia University (13-9, 8-6) to an important 58-52 win over Widener University (9-11, 3-12) Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Conference men's basketball action at Widener.
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| Commonwealth Standings |
| 1. | Lycoming | 12-3 |
| 2. | Stevenson | 9-5 |
| 3. | Alvernia | 8-6 |
| Arcadia | 8-6 |
| Hood | 8-6 |
| 6. | Lebanon Valley | 6-8 |
| Messiah | 6-8 |
| 8. | Albright | 5-9 |
| 9. | Widener | 2-13 |
The Crusaders remain in a three-way tie for third place with Arcadia and Hood. Arcadia beat Albright at home, 68-62, and Hood earned an impressive 75-72 at second place Stevenson. Lycoming wrapped up the top seed and home court through the Championships with a win over Lebanon Valley.
Hood holds the advantage if the three teams in third remain tied at the end of the season. Alvernia would have a head-to-head advantage over Arcadia.
Alvernia reamined in the tie Saturday with a come-from-behind win at Widener.
The Pride held a four-point lead with nine minutes remaining. Alvernia took over with under four minutes to play when
Harrison Deyo scored on a tip-in.Â
Alex Shippen put the Crusaders up three points, 52-49, on a driving layup with 3:04 to play, and the guests went up five on back-to-back free throws from Shippen and
Lamont Clark.
Widener went scoreless over nearly six straight minutes of game time until Sam Smith knocked down a 3 with 37 seconds left to pull the Pride within two, 54-52. Alvernia got one free throw from Cooper, forced a turnover on the ensuing Widener possession, then hit three more free throws over the final 18 seconds for the six-point win.
Widener held an astounding 46-24 lead on the boards, but Alvernia took care of the basketball committing just three turnovers per half while Widener turned it over 19 times.
Deyo reached double figures with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Greg Lawson was the only Widener player in double figures with 15 points. He also added 11 rebounds.
Alvernia returns home to host Lebanon Valley on Tuesday and wraps up the regular season next Saturday at Albright.
Alvernia 58, Widener 52
