ALLENTOWN, NJ—Prior to taking in action in the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV semifinals between Woodbridge and Phillipsburg for GMC Gridirion, GMC Hoops took a trip out to Allentown to take in action from the opening round of the Scotty Wood Tournament at Muhlenberg College between D3 college teams Widener and FDU-Florham. Widener scored the first 10 points of the game before FDU-Florham rallied with a 20-9 tear over a span of about 10 minutes to take a 20-19 lead. After that though, the Pride took over with a 16-6 tear to take a 35-26 lead at the break, and then opened the second half on a 9-4 run to take a 44-30 lead with 17:56 remaining.
Widener continued to pour it on en route to a 75-49 victory to advance to the Championship on Saturday night. Former Raritan standout, Kevin Furlong led FDU-Florham in defeat with 11 points while Middletown North’s Mike Barber chipped in with 9. South Amboy’s Steve Herdman was a bright spot for the Devils with 7 points including two threes in the second half. Widener was led by Greg Lawson, who had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds while New Egypt’s Mark Pryzbylkowski chipped in with 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, and David Nicholson added 12 points. Below are game notes from the acton:
Pre-Game
Just arrived a little while ago at Muhlenberg College for the first round game of the Scotty Wood Tournament between FDU-Florham and Widener. South Amboy’s Steve Herdman plays for FDU-Florham while former BGA standout, Mike Williamson, is an assistant coach for the Devils and former St. Peter’s standout, Billy Leahy is an assistant at Widener. Leahy is the son of former Bishop Ahr, Woodbridge, and St. Peter’s head coach, Bill Leahy, who was also an assistant to Rocky Knowles at Old Bridge.
First Half
20:00–Game is about to start. Lineups are done. Starting lineups coming up.
17:25 left in first half and FDU-Florham calls 30 sec timeout after this three for a 10-0 Widener lead. Treys by California of Pennsylvania U transfer Laron Byrd and former New Egypt standout Mark Pryzbylkowski highlight good start by Pride.
9:25 left in first half and FDU-Florham has battled back to within one at 19-18. Raritan’s Kevin Furlong and Middletown North’s Mike Barber have led the charge. South Amboy’s Steve Herdman also chipped in with 1 of 2 from the foul line.
8:15 left in first half and Widener calls a full timeout after FDU-Florham grabs its first lead of the game at 20-19 on a layup by Mendham’s Jesse Oringer that capped a 20-9 tear.
4:11 left in first half and FDU-Florham calls for time after an 8-2 run by Widener for a 27-22 lead. Run capped by a outback from Greg Lawson.
0:00–Game has gone to the half with Widener leading 35-26. The Pride ended the half on a 14-4 tear as the Devils only had four fts in the last 7 minutes of the half. Former Raritan standout Kevin Furlong was the only person that scored for FDU-Florham in the final 7:30 of the first half. Former New Egypt standout, Mark Pryzbylkowski, who played with Desmond Hubert, has played well for Widener. Herdman played most of the first half for FDU-FLORHAM before picking up his second foul at the 2:18 mark. Middletown North standout, Michael Barber leads FDU with 10 pts.
Second Half
20:00–Second half about to start.
17:56 left in game and Widener opens 2nd half on a 9-4 run for a 44-30 lead. South Amboy’s Steve Herdman a bright spot for FDU with a three from the left wing. Since FDU-Florham took its only lead of the game at the 8:15 mark of the first half, the Devils have been outscored 25-10.
9:02 left and Widener continues to pull away thanks to the play of big man and former Medford Tech standout, Greg Lawson scoring here for a 62-38 lead.
5:43 left and FDU-Florham calls timeout after a layup by David Nicholson of Widener for a 68-40 Pride lead. Widener has scored 6 of the last 8 points.
1:48 left and Widener leads 71-48. FDU has scored 8 of the last 11 points.
0:00–Game just ended with Widener winning 75-49. Pride scored 4 of the last 5 points. Widener was just too big, strong, and athletic for FDU-Florham. Devils fought valiantly, especially in the first half.