GLENSIDE, PA:  (Dec. 1, 2010) -  Arcadia University Men's Basketball fell to Widener University 65-45 this evening in their home opener and the Commonwealth Conference opener for both teams.

The Knights drop to 2-4 overall and 0-1 on their home floor, while Widener, who out-shot Arcadia 56% - 37% from the floor, improves to 4-2 on the season fueled by Jack Brennan who finished with a game high with 14 points. 

The first half was a back and forth battle which saw a total of 10 lead changes and 4 ties.  Collin McCarthy '12 (Langhorne, PA/Holy Ghost Prep) hit back to back jumpers to give the Knights a 24-23 lead with 4:46 remaining in the half.  McCarthy was red hot in the first half scoring 10 of his team high 12 points in the first half.  Widener Junior Perry Wright responded with a three pointer, which would be the final lead change of the half as the Pride ended the half on a 13-2 run.  The run put Widener up 34-26 at the half.  

After a Widener layup to start the second half, the Knights went on a 5-0 run with a layup and three pointer from Damien Palantino 'GR (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) to cut Widener lead to 36-31 with 17 minutes remaining in the game.  The three from Palantino came off of a great transition drive and kick out from Jose Ortiz '13 (Philadelphia, PA/Math, Civic, and Science).  The Pride followed the Knights' 5-0 run with an 11-2 run of their own pushing the lead to 49-33 at the 11 minute mark.  Arcadia scratched and clawed but whenever they started making a run Widener would follow with a big shot of their own.  The final score on the board read 65-45 but the game was much closer than the score would seem.

Senior Brennan led the Pride with 14 points, while Wright helped out with 13 points of his own.  Arcadia had 3 scorers in double digits McCarthy (12pts), Ortiz (10pts), and Palantino (10pts).  The difference in the game was Widener's defense as they were able to force 22 turnovers and block 6 shots while the Knights caused 14 turnovers with only 1 block.

Arcadia will look to even their early season Commonwealth record this Saturday on the road against Elizabethtown College.