(LANGHORNE, Pa.) – The Wilson women's basketball team nearly pulled off an incredible second half comeback on the road at Cairn on Wednesday evening. The Phoenix trailed by double-digits to the Highlanders at halftime before rallying to take the lead by the end of the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Blue and White, the hosts had the final word and was able to pull out the victory down the stretch.
Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon (FY, Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) and
Adrianna Stricek (So., Harrisburg, Pa. / Trinity) both exploded for over 20 points in the effort. Caldwell-Degnon did so while shooting 69.2% from the field, while Stricek was hot as well with a 50% clip.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 70, Cairn 76
Venue: Mason Activity Center
Records: Wilson 7-9, 6-3 Skye; Cairn 8-6, 4-4 Skye
How It Happened
- After a competitive first that saw Cairn lead by three at the end of the first 10 minutes, the hosts benefited by a cold second quarter by the Phoenix. Wilson was within two after a Jewels Torres (So., York, Pa. / West York) free throw made the score 22-20 three minutes into the frame, but the Highlanders were able to go on a 14-4 run to take a 12-point lead into halftime.
- Head Coach Shane Rottier's halftime adjustments did the Phoenix well as they came out and lived up to their namesake by rising up and climbing back into the game proverbially on fire. Wilson didn't miss any of the first six shots it took, which included a pair of 3-pointers and free throws, get back within two points just 3:17 into the period.
- Caldwell-Degnon was responsible for a good chunk of the offense with both of the aforementioned treys as well as a jumper in the paint to make the score 38-36. A third trey tied the game at 41-all just past the midway point, and a fourth gave the Phoenix a 49-47 lead with 3:17 left in the third. Caldwell-Degnon equaled Cairn alone as she was 6-of-7 overall and 4-of-5 from range for 16 points to help the Phoenix take a 55-52 lead into the fourth.
- A steal and assist by Laela Robinson (So., Lancaster, Pa. / Conestoga Valley) to Torres for a fastbreak layup gave the Phoenix a fast start to the fourth and a 58-52 lead, their largest of the game. Cairn was quick to tie it up as it went 3-for-3 the next three trips down the floor and kept the Phoenix in sight. The Highlanders eventually regained the lead after being sent to the line on four different occasions and making 7-of-8 from the charity stripe to take a 69-65 lead with 3:24 to go. An old-fashioned three-point play by Stricek put the Phoenix back within one, but it was the closest they would get the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Caldwell-Degnon's two dozen easily set a new season-high for the first-year guard, surpassing her 15 scored at Rosemont in November. She was 9-of-13 overall and an incredible 6-of-8 behind the arc.
- Stricek's streak of double-doubles came to an end, but she still had an excellent night overall with 23 points and eight rebounds.
- Torres also had a busy night as well as she finished with 13 points. She added five assists and five steals to her line as well.
- Cairn was led by Taylor Hinson who finished with a game-high 29 points. She was 9-of-24 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free throw line. She added a double-double with 11 rebounds while adding 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks to her line as well.
Up Next
The Phoenix will be back on the court in a doubleheader against St. Elizabeth this Saturday. The men will start the day at 1 p.m. with the women's game following at 3.
