Reading, Pa. (Nov. 30, 2022) - Widener University (5-2, 1-0) completed a second half comeback and edged Alvernia University (4-2, 0-1) in overtime as the Pride defeated the Golden Wolves 78-76 in the MAC Commonwealth opener on Wednesday at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court.

The Golden Wolves held a 10 point lead at the half, but Widener worked its way back and took the lead with 5:22 to play in the second half. The Pride extended their lead to as much as eight with 1:48 to play, but Alvernia was able to even it up at 68-68 with six seconds left in regulation on a Jalil Schenck three to send the game into overtime. Alvernia held the advantage for much of the five minute overtime, but the Golden Wolves were held scoreless in the final 1:37 as Widener put up five points to seal the 78-76 win. Seven of Widener's 10 points in overtime came from the foul line.

Widener started the game out fast, taking an early 11-3 lead after four minutes of action. The Golden Wolves called a timeout and regrouped, and a 3-pointer by Schenck sparked a 21-3 run by the Golden Wolves over the next nine minutes. The run was bookended with another three by Schenck to give Alvernia the 24-14 lead with just under seven minutes remaining in the half. 

A field goal by Malik Green with 4:36 to play in the half gave Alvernia its largest lead, 31-17. The Golden Wolves and Pride traded baskets over the final four minutes. The Pride got four back on the Golden Wolves, but Alvernia still took a ten point lead into the half, 36-26.

Jakob Kelly opened the second half scoring for Alvernia with a jumper. Widener responded with a layup, but Kelly answered with a layup of his own to make it a 40-28 game two minutes into the second frame. 

The Pride slowly began to chip away at Alvernia's lead and eventually evened it up at 52-52 on a jumper by Dominic Dunn with 7:07 remaining. The Pride took the lead just under two minutes later on a Pat Holden three. Schenck evened the game up at 55-55 with a 3-pointer off the feed of Nigel Cooke. 

The Pride retook the lead on a layup by Dunn, and pushed their lead to eight points on a 3-pointer by Luke Mazur with 2:45 to play. After Kelly put down a layup with 2:22 to play, the Pride hit another three on a Kevin Schenk three to keep the eight point lead, 66-58, with 1:48 to play.

Alvernia held the Pride to just two points the rest of regulation, and Alvernia tied it up at 68-68 on a three by Schenck to send the game into overtime.

Kelly opened overtime with a putback jumper, and a 3-pointer by Malik Green on Alvernia's next possession made it a two-score game. Four made free throws by the Pride over the next 90 seconds evened the game up at 73-73, but Schenck hit his sixth three of the night to put Alvernia back in front, 76-73, with 1:37 to play. 

Widener responded with a three of its own with 1:22 to play to even the game at 76-76. The Pride forced two turnovers and held Alvernia scoreless the rest of the way while adding two made free throws of their own to seal the 78-76 overtime win.

Schenck led Alvernia with 24 points and finished 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. Kelly ended the night with 19 points, six boards, and five steals. Green finished with 14 points and a team-high nine boards.

Alvernia is back in action on Saturday at Stevenson.