(HARRISONBURG, Va.) – The Wilson women's basketball team fell even on the season as a second-half comeback attempt came up short against Eastern Mennonite on Sunday afternoon. The Phoenix trailed the Royals by as many 21 before cutting the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 55, Eastern Mennonite 64
Venue: Yoder Arena
Records: Wilson 1-1, Eastern Mennonite 2-1
How It Happened
- Both teams came out of the gates cold from the floor, but both did well from the free throw to keep it close after a quarter. The Phoenix edged the Royals in free throws by making 7-of-8 compared to6-of-8 by the hosts, but EMU held a 14-13 lead after the opening frame.
- The second quarter wasn't as kind to the Phoenix as Eastern Mennonite built upon its lead. Turnovers built up for both teams, but only the Royals converted on the opposite end as they scored seven points off Phoenix miscues. At the break, Wilson trailed 32-17.
- After adjustments were made at halftime, Wilson started to make a move in the third quarter. A 3-pointer by Bry Hicks (So., Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) sparked a 14-6 run to get the Phoenix back into the game and obtain some momentum. Hicks built upon that herself with 11 points in a span of 2:39. Following a triple by Samira Murphy (Sr., Virginia Beach, Va. / Great Bridge Christian) on a dish from Hicks, Wilson cut the deficit to 46-33 with 2:57 left in the third.
- In the fourth, an Adrianna Stricek (Fy., Harrisburg, Pa. / Trinity) jumper put Wilson within nine with 4:48 to go. A pair of Jewels Torres (Fy., York, Pa. / West York) foul shots eventually brought the Phoenix within eight at 61-53 before time ran out on the Phoenix.
Inside The Numbers
- Hicks' second half charge helped her lead all scorers with 19 points. She was 5-of-14 overall from the floor, but more lethal behind the arc where she was 4-of-6.
- Stricek joined her in double-figures in a monumental way by not only scoring 16 points on 5-of-11 from the field, but she pulled down 13 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.
- The Royals controlled the glass, however, by a 58-41 margin. They had a player record a double-double of her own as Brii Redfearn scored 11 points and pulled down 17 boards. Two other EMU players scored 13 points each.
- Hicks' performance off the bench helped Wilson outscore EMU's bench 24-17.
Up Next
Wilson was scheduled to take on Penn State-Mont Alto this Tuesday, but that game has been cancelled. Instead the Phoenix will head to St. Mary's to take on the Seahawks on Saturday at 1 p.m.
