(MORRISTOWN, N.J.) – Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park) scored 29 points while
Rick Godwin Jr. (Sr., Largo, Md. / Largo / Southern Maryland) added another 22 as Wilson routed Saint Elizabeth 97-60 on Saturday afternoon. The win is the eighth-straight for the Phoenix who avenged their last loss this season which came at the hands of the Eagles.
There win also clinches a spot in the CSAC Tournament for Wilson who is looking to defend its conference title.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 97, Saint Elizabeth 60
Venue: St. Joseph's Hall
Records: Wilson 15-8, 9-3 CSAC; Saint Elizabeth 8-13, 5-7 CSAC
How It Happened
- Both teams appeared evenly matched to start the game, but Wilson took charge midway through the first half and kept pushing down on the gas pedal. Momentum swung in the Phoenix's favor after Antonio Bussey (Sr., Aiken, S.C. / Aiken / Claflin) separated a 10-10 tie with a dunk and resulting free throw after being fouled on the basket. Although the Phoenix never trailed, that play put them in the lead for good.
- The Eagles were able to stay within a possession until Garib went down the lane and scored on a layup and was followed by a 3-pointer by Godwin. After Saint Elizabeth answered with a Pierre Harden jumper, Jordan Miles (Sr., Waldorf, Md. / Westlake) and Godwin added a couple of more treys. Gary Robertson (Jr., Washington D.C. / Potomac / Bryant and Stratton) then capped a 13-2 run with a steal and took it in himself for the fastbreak lay-in to make the score 29-17.
- Although Saint Elizabeth was able to cut the deficit by scoring on its next two possessions, Godwin was quick to put Wilson back up by double digits with another pair of triples to make the score 35-22. Bussey was able to add three buckets down the stretch as Wilson took a commanding 46-28 lead into the halftime break.
- The offense remained hot and improved in the second half. At one point the Phoenix were able to score on nine-straight possessions with the only missed attempt coming on a free throw in which the other was made. That streak was capped by a 3-pointer, this time from Garib, as Wilson built its lead to 69-42 with 11:32 to go in the game. The Phoenix led by at least 25 the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Wilson finished the day shooting 53.5% (38-of-71) from the field. It's the sixth time in its current eight-game win streak it has shot at least that well.
- Garib's 29 points are the second-most he's scored in a game this season and three shy of his season-high scored at Bryn Athyn. He was 11-of-23 from the field and pulled down seven rebounds.
- Godwin once again lit it up behind the arc with four 3-pointers as part of his 22 points. Overall he was 9-for-16 and added six rebounds and two steals to his line.
- Bussey remained a titan underneath as he finished with 19 points and was 8-for-11 from the field. Four of those makes were at the rim on dunks. On the glass he was just as effective as he pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.
- Robertson reached double figures for the second-straight game with 12 points as he was 5-for-9. His court vision was also on display as he dished out nine assists.
- Garib, Bussey and Godwin all reached double figures offensively in the first half.
- Wilson controlled the boards and outrebounded Saint Elizabeth 42-27. The Phoenix also outscored the Eagles by a 52-32 margin in the paint.
- This was by far the best game in terms of taking care of the ball Wilson has had this season. The Phoenix turned over the ball just four times, five fewer than their previous best at Cairn on January 7. Saint Elizabeth was forced into 14 turnovers which turned into 23 points for the Phoenix.
- The eight-game winning streak is one shy of the program record set by last year's squad.
Conference Standings
- With two games remaining, Wilson remains a game behind Cairn in the race for the top seed in upcoming CSAC Tournament.
- After Saturday's results, the Phoenix are now two games ahead of both Keystone and Rosemont who are tied at 7-5.
Up Next
Wilson returns home for its final two games of the regular season. The penultimate game of that slate will come Wednesday when the Phoenix host Bryn Athyn. Tip-off with the Lions is set for 7 p.m.
