(YORK, Pa.) – A strong second-half and a stout defense helped Wilson get back on track and defeat Penn State-York on Wednesday evening. The Phoenix outscored the Nittany Lions 42-25 down the hosts 58-46.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 58, Penn State-York 46
Venue: RUHL Center
Records: Wilson 4-4, Penn State-York 6-5
How It Happened
- Defense was the name of the game in the first quarter as both teams were held to single digits. Adrianna Stricek (Fy., Harrisburg, Pa. / Trinity) was one of the few who got off to a hot start as she bucketed a pair and converted an and-one attempt to provide Wilson's first five points of the game. The later tied the game at 5-5 with 5:36 to go and the Phoenix were able to hold the Nittany Lions scoreless the rest of the opening frame. Samira Murphy (Sr., Virginia Beach, Va. / Great Bridge Christian) provided the visitors with the lead as she converted a free throw and the unconventional 3-point play for a 9-5 lead heading into the second.
- Stricek continued her hot streak with a jumper to start the second quarter before Penn State-York made its run and outscored Wilson 16-5 until the halftime horn. The run extended to 19-5 as the Lions opened up the third quarter with a 3-pointer, but their momentum wouldn't last. They eventually built-up a 10-point lead, but the Phoenix didn't quit. Over the last 6:22 of the third, Wilson was able to turn a 30-20 deficit into a 34-all tie at the end of the quarter.
- Yaya Cannon (Sr., Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) and Bry Hicks (So., Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) opened up the fourth with a pair of jumpers to give the Phoenix the lead once again at 38-34. It was one they didn't relinquish. The Nittany Lions stayed within a couple of possessions until a Hicks jumper made the score 53-45 with 2:42 to play. The hosts were held without a field goal the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Hicks was impressive throughout the night and led all scorers with 20 points. Twelve of them came during a dominant fourth quarter where she was 5-for-5 with a pair of free throws for 12 points. Overall she was 8-for-15 and filled up the stat line with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
- Stricek also scored in double figures with 18 points and was 8-for-16 from the field. She pulled down seven rebounds.
- Murphy was near double figures in points with nine, but her main impact was felt on the glass as she recorded a career-high 19 caroms. Sixteen were on the defensive end. Her play was a key reason the Phoenix controlled the boards by a 46-36 advantage.
- Thanks to Hicks' performance off the bench, Wilson's bench outscored Penn State-York's 31-6.
- A rugged Phoenix defense limited the Nittany Lions to 23.4% (18-of-77) shooting from the field. Although Wilson shot just 33.8% (22-of-65), the Phoenix made 56.3% (9-for-16) during the pivotal fourth quarter.
- The Nittany Lions were led by Desii Garcia-Hernandez who chalked up a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. She was three steals shy of a triple-double. Jillian Foster added 11 points for the hosts.
Up Next
The women's basketball team will close out the calendar year with Mount Aloysius this Friday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
