Phoenix Fly Past Nittany Lions

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Wilson College men's basketball team hosted Penn State Abington in North Eastern Athletic Conference action this afternoon. The Phoenix (4-4, 1-2 NEAC) rallied for a thrilling 81-78 victory over the Nittany Lions (2-4, 1-2 NEAC).

How It Happened: A tight back and forth game that saw the Phoenix grab an early lead on a three-pointer by sophomore Rashaan Bean (San Antonio, Tx, Forest Park) just over ninety seconds into the half. The Phoenix would take their first lead of the game at 8-6 on a jumper by freshman Zachary Powell (Manassas, Va., Osbourn). As the half moved on the Nittany Lions pushed their lead to seven points with a little over five minutes to go, however the Phoenix would go on a 7-0 run with a three-point play by junior Keion Adams (Gaithersburg, Md., Seneca Valley), a jumper by senior Marquise Beckett (Randallstown, Md., Chapelgate Christian) and a pair of free throws by junior Ian Frazier (Palmyra, Pa., Palmyra) to tie the game at 31-31. The Nittany Lions closed out the half with a pair of three-pointers to take a 44-38 advantage to the locker rooms. In the second half the Nittany Lions held their largest lead of the game at nine points on five separate occasions, but each time the Phoenix battled back. Trailing by eight points with less than five minutes to play, the Phoenix started to chip away at the Nittany Lions lead. An old fashioned three-point play by senior Martez Beckett (Randallstown, Md., Chapelgate Christian) ignited the crowd and pulled the Phoenix within four points. An answer by the Nittany Lions put the visitors back up seven points with two and a half minutes to play but the Phoenix got back-to-back three-pointers by Adams and Powell to make it a one point game. A pair of free throws by senior Willie McDowell (Baltimore, MD, Augusta Fells Savage Institute) gave the Phoenix a one point advantage with thirty-six seconds left in regulation. A defensive stop by the Phoenix and another free throw by McDowell put the lead at two points with twenty-two seconds to go. A turnover by the Nittany Lions and a foul put Frazier at the line and he knocked down one of two to give the Phoenix a three-point advantage with twelve seconds left. The Nittany Lions were able to get off a pair of contested three-pointers in the final seconds but were unable to connect and McDowell grabbed the final rebound as the Phoenix claimed the 81-78 victory.

Inside the Box Score: The Phoenix got a pair if double-doubles from Bean, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and McDowell, who added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Adams added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 2 huge blocks while Frazier tallied 12 points as four Phoenix scored in double digits. The Phoenix held a slight 42-40 edge in rebounds and a 18-15 advantage in points off turnovers. 

Up Next: Wilson will host Christendom University on Friday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m.

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