Reading, Pa. (Feb. 18, 2017) - Widener University (16-9, 10-6) scored 48 points in the second half en route to a 78-73 win over Alvernia University (15-10, 9-7) Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth men's basketball action at Jack McCloskey Court.

With the win, the Pride secure the second seed in the upcoming MAC Commonwealth Championships, and will host #3 Albright College on Wednesday in a semifinal.  The Crusaders enter the tournament as the fourth seed and will host #5 Lebanon Valley College on Monday in a first round game.  That game is scheduled to tip at 7:00 p.m.  Lycoming College is the top seed and will host the winner of the Alvernia/LVC game in another semifinal on Wednesday.

Widener took control of Saturday's game with a 14-3 run midway through the second half.  Junior Sam Smith put together a run of five straight points in the middle of the run and Kendall Green capped it with a jumper that put the Pride up 63-51 with 6:24 to play.

The lead was still 10 points, 70-60, with 1:53 to play before the Crusaders put together one final push.

Marquis Marshall hit a pair of free throws then a Widener turnover led to a breakout layup from George Williams.  Green missed a 3 on the next possession and Mike Miller, Jr. knocked down a pair of free throws and the Crusaders had cut six points off the deficit in 50 seconds.

After a single free throw for the Pride, a Marshall layup made it a one-possession game, 71-68, with 40 seconds to go.  The Pride, which went 24-for-26 form the line for the game, his seven of eight from the stripe in the final 40 seconds to hold off the Crusaders.

Alvernia, which would have been the #2 seed with a win, missed out on a chance to host crosstown rival Albright College in the first ever postseason game between the two Reading schools.  In order for that to happen this time around, the Lions would have to beat Widener on the road on Wednesday and Alvernia would have to go through LVC at home on Monday and top-seeded Lycoming on Wednesday in Williamsport.

Marshall recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 27 points and 16 rebounds.  Miller, Jr. finished with 22 points, and Alex Shippen also reached double figures with 13 points.  Widener put four players in double-digits led by Sardaya Sambo who totaled 20.

Widener 78, Alvernia 73