Reading, Pa. (Feb. 23, 2022) - #6 Widener University (13-3) put up 60 points in the second half to run away with a 98-80 win over #3 Alvernia University (18-7) on Wednesday night in a MAC Commonwealth quarterfinal matchup at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court. 

After trailing much of the first half, Alvernia was able to flip the board and take a four point advantage, 42-38, into the second half. But, Widener came out firing on all cylinders - shooting 62.5% (20-32) from the floor and 90% (18-20) from the free throw line - to put up 60 in the final 20 minutes. Alvernia could not keep pace - shooting just 34% from the field in the second half and going on a five minute field goal drought - while the Pride pushed their lead to as much as 22. Alvernia never got within reach as the Pride eliminated Alvernia from MAC Championship contention with the 98-80 win.

Widener's Jared Peters opened the game with a jumper off the tip, but Keon Taylor evened it up at 2-2 just about a minute later.

Two minutes later, Widener took a 6-3 lead on a layup, but Jakob Kelly tied it up at 6-6 with a deep three. Taylor then gave Alvernia the 8-6 lead on a fastbreak layup off a steal with 16:13 to play in the first. 

A layup from Widener's Kenny Lewis tied it up at 8-8 and sparked an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to give Widener the nine point lead, 17-9, with 13:23 on the clock.

A 6-0 responding run by Alvernia over the next two minutes brought the Golden Wolves back within two, 17-15. 

The back-and-forth continued over the next three minutes until Widener built their lead back up to eight, 32-24, with 6:39 to play in the first.

Alvernia began to chip away and a 3-pointer from Malik Green brought the Golden Wolves within three, 36-33, with 3:35 to go in the half. Layups from Green and Kelly flipped the lead back in Alvernia's favor, 37-36, with 1:45 to play.

Alvernia scored five of the last seven points of the half to take a 42-38 lead into the break.

Just like he did in the first half, Peters opened the scoring with a jumper to bring the Pride within two, 42-40, and the Pride tied it up 36 seconds later at 42-42.

Widener took a 44-42 lead on free throws, but Taylor knocked down a three to give Alvernia the 45-44 advantage with 17:48 to play. It would be Alvernia's last lead of the game. 

A Kenny Lewis layup gave Widener back the lead, 46-45, and the Pride never looked back from there.

Alvernia looked to show some signs of life with 12:38 to play on a massive Avery Walker dunk with a successful and-one free throw to bring the Golden Wolves within five, 57-52. But, Alvernia was instead held to just three made free throws over the next five minutes as Widener's lead exploded to 17, 72-55.

A 3-pointer from Taylor with 7:13 to play brought Alvernia within 14 and ended the field goal drought, but the Golden Wolves continued to struggle to get anything going.

Green knocked down a three with 5:19 remaining to make it 78-65, but Alvernia could not get any closer the rest of the way as the Pride went on to walk away with the 98-80 win.

Taylor led Alvernia with 28 points, and Kelly finished with 18 points and seven boards. 

The Pride out-rebounded Alvernia 41-20.

Alvernia awaits a potential ECAC bid.

Widener advances to the MAC Commonwealth semifinal where the Pride will take on the second-seeded Hood Blazers.