CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Wilson College women's basketball got their season started this evening as they played host to the Nittany Lions of Penn State Mont Alto in a nonconference matchup. The Phoenix (1-0, 0-0 CSAC) took down the Nittany Lions (0-1) by a score of 80-74 in a thrilling overtime victory.
How It Happened: Wilson came out shooting as senior
Jordyn Day (Richmond, Va, Varina) was able to connect on a three-pointer, assisted by sophomore
Tori Cole (Orange Park, FL, Orange Park), in the opening seconds of the game. On the next Phoenix possession, Day was able to connect on another thee, this time assisted by junior
Courtney Herbert (Accokeek, MD, Oxon Hill), that put Wilson ahead 6-2. The offense would come alive this quarter as Wilson was able to extend their lead by as much as nine points. Later on, the Nittany Lions would end the quarter on a 4-0 that cut the deficit to just three as the Phoenix would lead by a score of 21-18.
In the second quarter, Penn State jumped on a 6-2 run that put them ahead by two with just under eight minutes remaining. Both teams would trade possessions and points back and forth for the rest of the quarter with another three coming from
Day and
Herbert adding her own. Wilson would enter the half leading by one point at 34-33.
In the third, the Phoenix offense would pick things up as
Herbert and junior
Michaela Singer (Annville, PA, Annville-Cleona) both added threes, extending the Wilson lead by eight. In the closing minutes of the quarter, the Lions were able to start another run. This time they had a 7-0 run to end the quarter that cut the Phoenix lead to just one at 51-50.
Cole got things going in the fourth quarter of play as they were able to connect on a jumper in the paint. Wilson tried to start several runs but they could not keep Mont Alto at bay as they were able to keep up with the Phoenix throughout the quarter. After a layup from freshman
Samira Murphy (Virginia Beach, VA, Great Bridge Christian), that put Wilson up by four, the Nittany Lions would knot things up after a 4-0 run tied the game at 60 apiece.
In overtime, Penn State connected on a jumper in the paint that put them ahead by two, but DAY was able to answer back on the next possession with a huge three that put the Phoenix back on top by one. The Nittany Lions, however, would not give up as they were able to go on a 6-0 run that put them ahead by three with just over a minute and a half remaining. On Wilson's next possession,
Murphy drove to the bucket and was able to score three the hard way as she hit the layup and foul shot on the and-one that put Wilson back on top by two. The Phoenix would go on to win their season opener by a score of 80-74.
Inside the Box Score: Wilson finished the game shooting 35% from the floor while their opponents finished shooting 38%.
Murphy led both teams with 25 points while
Day scored 21, including four three-pointers. Altogether, seven Phoenix players finished with points.
Herbert and
Cole were the leaders on the glass as they finished with 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively. The defense played a huge role for Wilson tonight as they went on the rack up 16 steals in the game.
Up Next: The women's basketball team will travel to Enola, Pa. where they will take on the Knights of Central Penn College on Monday, November 18, at 8:30 p.m.
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