(GRANTHAM, Pa.) – A dominant first half helped Wilson even its record as it went on the road and defeated Messiah by double-digits on Wednesday evening. The Phoenix built up a large lead to go up 18 at halftime and held off a late rally by the Falcons to come home with the victory.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 73, Messiah 63
Venue: Hitchcock Arena
Records: Wilson 4-4, Messiah 5-4
How It Happened
- Wilson made the long ball lethal early on in the game as its first six field goals came from range. The first Phoenix bucket inside the arc that wasn't a free throw came from Ibraheem Bundu (So., Largo, Md. / CCBC Dundalk) nearly nine minutes into the game. That made the score 21-11 in the middle of a 19-4 run. Early on, the damage given from the outside came from Rick Godwin Jr. (Sr., Largo, Md. / Largo) and Gary Robertson (Jr., Washington D.C. / Potomac) who both hit three triples each in the first 8:27 of in-game action.
- Godwin and the Phoenix didn't let off the gas as he hit two more treys in the half, the last of which gave Wilson its largest lead of the night at 38-20 with 15 seconds to go in the first half.
- After taking advantage of the outside game in the first half, Wilson concentrated on the inside game in the second. The Phoenix pounded the paint hard as their first nine field goals of the frame came from there. Godwin did add another 3-pointer for good measure, Wilson's only trey of the half, to end that streak and make the score 62-45 with 5:41 to go in the game.
- Messiah didn't give up and fought to cut the deficit to single digits. A 13-4 run over the next 3:33 made it an eight-point game with just over two minutes to go, but Wilson's efforts at the foul line kept the game out of reach.
Inside The Numbers
- Godwin finished with a game-best 24 points with 16 scored in the first half. He was 6-of-10 from behind the arc and 6-for-8 at the free throw line. Additionally he pulled down seven rebounds.
- Robertson wasn't far behind as he poured in 23 points. He was 8-of-14 overall, 3-for-4 behind the 3-point line, and added three steals.
- Picking up his fourth double-double of the season was Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park) who went for 14 points and 15 boards. The 15 caroms matches his season best that he also recorded at Penn College. Garib also led the team with four assists.
- Thanks to Garib's efforts, Wilson led the rebounding totals by a 45-37 margin.
- Wilson's nine 3-pointers are the most made in a single game this season. The Phoenix have made at least seven in their last three games.
- The Falcons also had a trio score in double-figures. Tim Edwards led the group with 21 points and was 7-of-14 from the field and secured a double-double with 10 rebounds. Arkese Claiborne added 15 points and Tyler Penley tallied 13.
Up Next
Wilson's road schedule continues as it heads to Harrisonburg, Va., next to take on Eastern Mennonite. That game will come on Saturday with a tip-off time of 4:30 p.m.
