(ST. DAVIDS, Pa.) – Ethan Wilson (Jr., Manassas, Va. / Osbourn Park / Howard C.C.) and
Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park) both scored over 20 points, but it wasn't enough as Wilson fell on the road to Eastern on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix and Eagles went back and forth with eight lead changes and four ties in the opening half, but the hosts were able to pull away during the last 10 minutes of the game.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 70, Eastern 93
Venue: Eastern University Gymnasium
Records: Wilson 5-5, Eastern 6-2
How It Happened
- The Phoenix started the game proverbially on fire as they hit five of their first six shots in building a 16-11 lead just over six minutes into the game. Unfortunately, the Eagles were able to counter with an 11-0, their largest of the game, which flipped the script to put the hosts back in front.
- Eastern appeared to have control after a dunk made the score 27-21 with 7:12 to go, but Wilson was able to answer with a 3-pointer by Jordan Miles (Gr., Waldorf, Md. / Westlake) with an assist from Gary Robertson (Sr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant & Stratton). Garib was able to follow up with a jumper to cut the deficit to one before he stole the ball away from Eastern which translated into a layup on a helper by Miles to put the Blue and White back up by one. The lead was short-lived as the Eagles were able to close the first half on a 12-4 run over the last 5:12 to head into the locker up 39-32 at the half.
- Wilson didn't go away quietly and kept it close in the early moments of the second. After teams exchanged 3-pointers to start the half, Garib put the Phoenix back within a possession after a pair of layups. Both were assisted by Robertson which put the score at 42-39 just under two minutes into the second.
- The Eagles were able to extend their lead once again and slowly started to pull away for the rest of the game. The Phoenix were still within two possessions after a pair of Ethan Wilson free throws mad the score 51-45 at the 15:28 mark, but couldn't get any closer the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Ethan Wilson led the game with 25 points and was 5-for-9 from the field. He was 4-for-8 behind the arc and 11-for-14 at the charity stripe. He was one rebound shy of a double-double.
- Garib was right behind him with 23 points. While Wilson did most of his work at the free throw line and from range, Garib took control mostly from the inside. Overall he was 10-for-19.
- The Phoenix were able to distribute the ball decently with 17 assists on the day. Robertson led that department with eight.
- After a hot first half, the Phoenix cooled down a little in the second half and ended the day shooting 47.8% (22-of-46). The Eagles stayed hot throughout and finished the game with a mark of 53.2% (33-62).
- Turnovers hurt the Phoenix as 22 miscues led to 31 points for the Eagles. On the opposite side Wilson was able to score 11 off 11 Eagles turnovers.
- Five Eagles players scored in double figures with Zubair Lee leading the way with 18 points. He was 6-for-7 on the day and two rebounds shy of a double-double.
Up Next
Things won't get any easier for the Phoenix as they welcome the defending national champions and nationally ranked No. 10 Christopher Newport a week from Sunday. Tip-off with the Captains is set for 4 p.m.
