Photo by
Dan Hunter, d3photography.com
(WINCHESTER, Va.) – Gary Robertson (Sr., Washington D.C. / Potomac / Bryant & Stratton) and
Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park) both scored in double figures, but it wasn't enough as Wilson fell to Shenandoah on Wednesday evening. The Phoenix were within two possessions late in the first half before the Hornets hit a buzzer-beating layup and pulled away at the start of the second half.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 52, Shenandoah 75
Venue: James R. Wilkins Jr. Athletics & Events Center
Records: Wilson 1-2, Shenandoah 2-0
How It Happened
- Ethan Wilson (Jr., Manassas, Va. / Osbourn Park / Howard C.C.) had a strong start to the game with a 3-pointer that put the Blue and White up 7-3 a few minutes into the contest. The Hornets were able to counter and go on a 6-0 run before another Ethan Wilson jumper tied the game at 9-all with 13:37 left in the half. Shenandoah kept the momentum, however, and proceeded to go on a 14-4 run over the next 5:27 to take control.
- Outside shooting helped the Phoenix stay in the game as treys from Robertson and Tyrik Ward-Hoyte (Jr., Baltimore, Md. / Phelps) cut the deficit back to six at 25-19. Free throws by Jared Perry (Gr., Woodbridge, Va. / St. John Paul the Great / Marymount) brought Wilson even closer and made it a four point game before the Hornets pushed their advantage up to 11 with a Jaylen Williams jumper. Another Robertson triple made it 34-28 with 28 seconds to go in the half, but Shenandoah beat the buzzer on a Cade McCulloch lay-in as time expired in the first.
- The Hornets' run extended to 9-0 with a fast start in the second that ballooned the lead up to 15 after an Evan Makle 3-pointer. Perry eventually put the Phoenix back on the scoreboard with a layup and converted the and-one bonus after he was fouled on the play. It sparked an 8-0 run, Wilson's longest of the game fueled by another Robertson trey. After a Hornets free throw, a Garib jumper on a dish from Robertson put Wilson back within six at 44-38 with 14:39 to go.
- Wilson was able to stay within striking distance as a layup by Ward-Hoyte later made the score 56-50 at the halfway point of the second, but the Phoenix couldn't get any closer the rest of the way as Shenandoah extended its lead down the stretch.
Inside The Numbers
- Robertson finished the night with 14 points and was 4-of-7 from the field. All four makes were from behind the arc where he was perfect on the night and set a new career-high at Wilson. He added to his stat line with five assists and four rebounds as well.
- Garib finished with 10 points and added four rebounds. Ethan Wilson's impressive first half saw him garner nine points and seven rebounds. He added two more boards in the second half to lead all players with nine.
- Shenandoah controlled the inside and outscored the Phoenix 26-16 in the paint. The Hornets also held the edge on the glass by a 42-32 margin.
- Williams led the Hornets with a game-high 16 points. He was 7-of-15 and added eight rebounds.
- Both teams took care of the ball relatively well. Wilson turned the ball over just 10 times, while the Hornets had eight miscues
Up Next
The Phoenix will be back in Old Dominion when they head to Staunton to take on Mary Baldwin on Tuesday. Tip-off with the Fighting Squirrels is set for 5 p.m.
