CHESTER, PA: (Feb. 15, 2011) – Once again the Arcadia Men's basketball team (5-18 Overall 0-13 Commonwealth) found itself down three points going into halftime, and again it was unable to pull off a second half comeback settling for a 65-62 defeat against the Pride of Widener University (12-12 Overall 7-6 Commonwealth). The win keeps Widener's playoff hopes alive and denies the Knights their first conference win of the season. Widener also sweeps the season series after a 65-45 over Arcadia at the Kuch Center in early December.
Widener jumped out to an early 11-3 lead in the first four and a half minutes but Damien Palantino 'GR (Philadelphia, PA/Father Judge) led a Knights charge sinking his first four buckets of the game, all from beyond the arc, to bring the Knights within four at the 14:04 mark. Both teams continued to battle back and forth during the half. The Pride again poured an offensive assault upon the Knights, going on a 10-6 run in the middle of the half to jump out to a 10 point lead, 30-20 with 5:11 to play before the break but Arcadia, not to be outdone, answered the call, ending the half on its own 9-2 surge, cutting the halftime deficit to three at 32-29. Widener dominated the inside game for the half outscoring the Knights 16-8 in the paint as well as pulling down 22 team rebounds. Arcadia stayed with Widener thanks to five treys as well as limiting themselves to five turnovers and nine assists. Defensively the Knights had five steals.
Both teams began the second half on defensive wave, as total scoring in the first seven minutes of the half was 2-2. Arcadia clawed away at the Pride eventually tying the game at 38 with 10:39 to go. The Knights continued their second half attack and were able to climb out to a six point lead with 8:16 to go in the game following two free throws from first year player Aaron Benusis '14 (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern). Both teams traded baskets, but Widener was able to regain the lead at the 5:10 mark and built that lead to a six point lead with about a minute to go. Arcadia was unable to climb back that late in the game and only a Palantino trey at the buzzer salvaged the three point defeat. Both teams scored 33 points apiece in the half and Arcadia responded in the paint outscoring the Pride 14-12. The Knights also forced nine more turnovers in the half and scored 10 points off of them.
Palantino led the way for the Knights, scoring a game high 25 points off seven treys. He also pulled down four rebounds, dished out a team high four assists, and had three steals. Colin McCarthy '12 (Langhorne, PA/Holy Ghost Prep) joined the starting lineup for the game and played the entire 40 minutes putting up 11 points, along with five rebounds and four assists. Senior Darrell Mills '11 (Philadelphia, PA/Engineering & Science) was the third Knight in double digits putting up 10 points in 27 minutes of play. As a team, Arcadia dished out a 17 assists compared to 12 turnovers for the game. Widener was paced by a team high 18 points from Jack Brennan along with seven points and 10 rebounds from BJ Smith.
The Knights return home for their last two games of the 2010-2011 season this weekend as they take on the Blue Jays of Elizabethtown College, in an effort to not only pick up their first conference win, but also spoil Elizabethtown's postseason chances. Arcadia will also honor its senior players and lone graduate student before the game which is slated for a 3 PM tip off. The Knights will wrap up their season on Monday as they welcome Berkeley College of New Jersey to the Kuch Center for a 7 PM non-league game.
