(FREDERICK, Md.) – There was plenty of excitement to go around as Wilson defeated Delaware Valley in the season opener in the MMI Tip-Off Tournament at Hood College on Friday evening. The Phoenix used a smothering defense to take a large lead in the opening half and held off a late charge by the Aggies for the narrow win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 61, Delaware Valley 59
Venue: Volpe Athletic Center
Records: Wilson 1-0, Delaware Valley 0-1
How It Happened
- After a back-and-forth first five minutes, Wilson used an 11-0 run to take the jump on the Aggies. Gary Robertson (Sr., Washington D.C. / Potomac / Bryant and Stratton) ignited the push with a layup before dishing off an assist to Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park) on the next trip up the floor to put the Phoenix up 9-5. A pair of Robertson free throws, a put-back layup by Garib, and an Ethan Wilson (Jr., Manassas, Va. / Osbourn Park / Howard C.C.) triple capped the rally with the Blue and White up 16-5 with 11:46 to go in the half.
- The Phoenix stayed warm and continued to extend their lead through the rest of the frame. After an Aggies 3-pointer made the score 22-11 with 7:43 left until the break, the Phoenix went on a 14-3 run with six points from Garib down the stretch.
- DelVal was able to make adjustments during the break and it showed as the Aggies went on their largest run of the game to start the second half. A pair of 3-pointers along with an unconventional 3-point play following a layup quickly made it 36-23 just 1:50 into the second.
- The Aggies eventually cut the deficit to two after a layup made it 44-42 with 10:26 to go. However, Wilson was able to keep them from getting any closer, and eventually pushed the deficit back to eight after Garib swiped the ball from Marc Godly and coasted in for a layup. Another Garib bucket put the Phoenix up 57-48 with 3:56 to go.
- An 11-3 run down the stretch brought the Aggies within one before Garib hit a free throw to set up the final score with seven seconds left. DelVal had an opportunity to go for the win, but a 3-pointer was off the mark.
Inside The Numbers
- Garib was back in form early as he led all scorers with 23 points. He was 10-for-18 from the field and pulled down six rebounds.
- Wilson the player was a bright spot in his debut for Wilson the team as he finished with 13 points. He was 3-for-6 from the field and perfect on all six attempts from the charity stripe.
- Robertson joined the aforementioned duo in double figures with 10 points. He too was perfect on six chances at the line. The senior point guard was busy all over the court as he fed seven assists and led the team with seven rebounds.
- The Phoenix were an impressive 23-of-31 from the free throw line as a team. To put that in comparison, last season's single-game high was 21. The last time Wilson made as many as Friday night was on December 18, 2021, with 27 makes in a home win against Immaculata.
- Defensively Wilson played one of its best halves in the first as the Aggies shot just 16.67% (5-of-30) from the field.
For The Aggies
- DelVal had a trio score in double figures. Dearry led the squad with 14 points with three 3-pointers. Godly and Collin MacAdams both chipped in 10 with MacAdams coming a rebound shy of a double-double.
For The Record
- Wilson improved to 2-0 all time against DelVal. The last time these two teams battled each other was also on neutral grounds as the Phoenix came out on top 81-75 on November 18, 2017, at Messiah College.
Up Next
The opening game of the day saw host Hood defeat Lehman 99-68. As such, Wilson will take on the Blazers following the conclusion of the consolation game between the Aggies and Lightning.
