(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Extra time was needed as Wilson downed Saint Elizabeth and avenged one of its losses from earlier this season in a barnburner on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix went from heartbreak to elation as the Eagles hit a go-ahead shot with exactly one second left in regulation, but
Gary Robertson (Sr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant & Stratton) was able to slip by the defense and receive the long inbounds pass from
Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park) to tie the game as time expired.
In the extra frame, the Blue and White never trailed and prevented the Eagles from getting off a potential game-tying shot in time to secure the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 81, Saint Elizabeth 79 (OT)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 9-8, 7-2 Skye; Saint Elizabeth 9-9, 7-3
How It Happened
- The first half was a good indication of how this game was going to go as the teams combined to shoot 56.1% with the Phoenix burning the nets at a 60% rate by themselves. A 19-6 run late in the half gave Wilson a 41-35 lead, its largest of the game, but St. E's was able to close with the final six points to take the lead into the halftime break.
- The Eagles were able to feed off that momentum and build up a 10-point lead in the second after a Jordan Lomax steal translated into a Tye-Rell Monroe fastbreak layup to make the score 55-45 with 13:46 to go. That lead stayed at 10 as late as 8:15 to go after a Lomax jumper before the Phoenix started to make its comeback.
- Similar to the end of the first half, Wilson benefited by another large push. This time they were able to close the second half on an 18-8 run. Trea Keys (Jr., Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake / Howard C.C.) was a key figure in the comeback as he scored seven of his 10 points during that time.
- Wilson eventually tied the game at 70-all on a Garib bucket with 15 seconds left. After a timeout, the Eagles' Jonathan Ramos hit a mid-range baseline jumper from the right side that gave them the lead with 1.0 left. Wilson was able to remain calm, and with the right side of the court left unguarded, Garib found Robertson racing toward the basket. Robertson was able to hold off from touching the ball to avoid time running out and scored the layup as time expired.
- Darren Green (Jr., Silver Spring, Md. / Springbrook) gave the Phoenix the lead for good with the first four points of overtime. Saint Elizabeth still had an opportunity to tie the game, but wasn't able to get the shot off in time as the clock hit zeros.
Inside The Numbers
- The Phoenix featured five players in double-figures and two more within a field goal of the feat. Garib led the crew with 19 points as he was 7-of-15 from the field and was one rebound shy of a double double.
- Ibraheem Bundu (Sr., Bowie, Md. / Largo) had his best game of the season as he scored 13 points for a new career-high at Wilson. He was 6-of-10 from the field, but also flashed the defensive skills with a career-high four blocks. Two of them came in overtime as he rejected the Eagles' opening shot of the period and added his final stuffing after Green gave Wilson a 76-72 lead.
- Bryce Smith (Jr., Bryan, Texas / A&M Consolidated / Medaille) finished with 12 points, all of which were behind the arc where he was 4-of-8 on the day.
- Keys had his breakout game of the year as he finished with 10 points. He was 3-of-4 overall and hit both 3-point attempts. His eyes were also looking for the open man and found four assists.
- Green finished the day with 10 points and tied Garib for team-high honors in rebounds.
- Robertson had a busy day as he scored seven points, none more important than the final bucket of regulation, and dished out seven assists. Defensively he led the game with five steals.
- Wilson is now 3-0 in overtime games this season.
For The Eagles
- Saint Elizabeth was led by Monroe who went 7-of-17 from the field for 18 points. He was also strong on the boards with nine rebounds.
- D'Angelo Blackmond added 16 points and was 6-of-12 with six rebounds and two blocks.
- Ramos was 6-of-11 with a pair of treys for 15 points. Pierre Harden rounded out the Eagles' double-figure scorers with 11 markers.
Up Next
Wilson will remain at home and host another convocation of Eagles in Mary Washington on Wednesday. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
