(WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.) – Wilson's modest two-game win streak came to an end as it fell to Penn College on Tuesday evening. The game was close throughout with neither team holding a lead of more than eight points during the game.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 60, Penn 66
Venue: Bardo Gym
Records: Wilson 2-3, Penn 4-2
How It Happened
- Penn took the early lead going up by as many as seven on a couple of occasions in the first half. The last of those two came after a small 6-0 run by the Wildcats made the score 23-16 with 9:23 to go in the half. Wilson was able to battle back and went on a 10-0 run to take its first lead of the game. Gary Robertson (Jr., Washington D.C. / Potomac / Bryant and Stratton) started the rally with a layup before Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park) poured in the next five points on a pair of layups and a free throw. A 3-pointer by Kennedy Birdwell (Sr., Temple Hills Md. / Fairmont Heights) and a jumper by Garib ended the run with Wilson holding a 28-23 lead with 4:42 to go in the half. The Wildcats responded with a triple to close within two on the next possession, but neither team would score for the rest of the half.
- The Phoenix held the advantage for the majority of the second half. They eventually build an eight-point lead, their largest of the game, as Garib converted the and-one after being fouled on a layup to make the score 51-43 with 10:02 to go in the game. Buckets by Jeremiah Carter Johnson (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Mills E. Godwin) and Robertson put the lead back to eight over the next few minutes, but the Wildcats didn't go away and eventually made a move. A 7-0 run brought the hosts back within one with 5:25 to play, and Penn was able to tie the game at 59-all with 3:19 to go. A Rees Watkins layup put Penn back in front before Ibraheem Bundu (So., Largo, Md. / CCBC Dundalk) closed the game to 61-60 with a free throw.
- Unfortunately for the Phoenix, that was the closest they could get. Penn eventually hit a 3-pointer with over a minute remaining and closed out the game with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.
Inside The Numbers
- Garib was strong for the Phoenix and finished with his second double-double of the season. He totaled 19 points on 7-of-16 from the field and pulled down 15 rebounds, 11 of which were on the defensive end.
- Robertson also had a solid night filling up the stat line with 18 points on 7-of-15 from the field. He added five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
- Wilson controlled the glass by a 43-27 margin, but turnovers hurt the Phoenix. Penn turned 16 Wilson miscues into 17 points compared to four points on 10 Wildcat turnovers for the Phoenix.
- Penn had four players score in double-figures with Watkins leading the way with 15 points. He shot 7-of-9 from the field and pulled down five rebounds.
Up Next
Wilson is now off until Wednesday, Nov. 30, when it plays host to Shenandoah. Tip-off with the Hornets is set for 7 p.m.
