(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The Gannett Field House was on fire as Wilson torched the nets to defeat Rosemont on Wednesday evening. The Phoenix had their best shooting night of the season across the board as they made 59.6% from the field, 57.1% on 3-point attempts, and was 26-of-29 from the free throw line in their triumph over the Ravens.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 96, Rosemont 80
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 10-10, 8-3 Skye; Rosemont 4-16, 3-8 Skye
How It Happened
- Despite the final score, the game was close for the majority of the evening and saw the Ravens in the lead for most of the first half. Thankfully for the Blue and White, they were able to counter each shot Rosemont threw at them. The visitors took one such proverbial swing as the Larry Lane scored on a layup and added a 3-pointer to put them up 31-25. The 5-0 run ended up being the Ravens biggest of the game and was quickly countered by a pair of layups by Tyrik Ward-Hoyte (Jr., Baltimore, Md. / Phelps / Clinton) sandwiched around a trey by Gary Robertson (Sr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant & Stratton) to get the Phoenix back within one. Rosemont eventually extended its lead back to six, but couldn't push it any further and took a 43-40 lead into halftime.
- Wilson's offense became even more potent in the second half and was evidenced out of the gate as Ethan Wilson (Jr., Manassas, Va. / Osbourn Park / Howard C.C.) quickly tied the game on a 3-pointer on a dish from Jordan Miles (Sr., Waldorf, Md. / Westlake) after a steal from Darryl Garib (Sr., Dallas, Texas / Forest Park). Ethan Wilson then gave the Phoenix their first lead since midway through the first half with a layup on the next possession.
- Another Ward-Hoyte bunny put Wilson up 58-56 with 11:45 left in regulation before Rosemont answered with Fatayn Wesley who scored the next five points to return the lead to the Ravens. It ended up being their last of the game as the Phoenix countered with the next nine points capped by a trey from Ward-Hoyte that made the score 67-61 with 6:52 to go.
- Rosemont answered with a 3-pointer of its own, but the Phoenix remained unabated. A Ward-Hoyte deuce and a trey from Ethan Wilson made the score 72-68 with 5:32 left. Just over two minutes later, Robertson stole the ball away and went coast-to-coast for the layup. He was fouled on the play and converted the and-one free throw to give the Phoenix a 10-point lead. The Ravens hoped to get back into the contest by sending the Phoenix repeatedly to the foul line, but Wilson was exceptional and went 16-of-17 in the final 2:38 to pull away and secure the win.
Inside The Numbers
- The Phoenix offense had its best night shooting from the floor all season. The .596 shooting percentage is the fourth-best single game mark in program history. Coincidentally the record was set in the last regular season meeting between these two teams when Wilson shot .750 at Rosemont almost exactly one year ago in an 86-71 win in Bryn Mawr.
- The .571 shooting percentage from behind the arc set a new program record. The Phoenix made eight of their 14 attempts for the new mark, surpassing the previous record of .556 set twice. The last time that happened was against McDaniel on November 19 when Wilson made 5-of-9 last season. The Phoenix also shot .556 from range when they made 10-of-18 against Bryn Athyn on January 12, 2017.
- The 26 free throws are the most made in a game since the Phoenix drained 27 on 38 attempts against Immaculata at home on December 18, 2021. The program record is 38 which was scored in a double-overtime win at Rosemont on January 15, 2020.
- The 96 points easily set the new season-high mark by 11 points.
- Ward-Hoyte led the Blue and White with 25 points for a new season-high. He was nearly perfect as he went 10-of-13 overall and swished both 3-point attempts.
- Garib finished with 24 points and was 7-of-10 from the field. He was sent to the line 11 times and made all but one for an additional 10 points. It was the 13th time this season he's reached the 20-point plateau.
- Ethan Wilson tallied 19 points for the second consecutive game after he went 5-of-8 from the field. He was a sharpshooter behind the arc as he went 3-of-4.
- Robertson added 15 points with a pair of treys. While doing so he set up the offense with seven assists for game-high honors.
- Ibraheem Bundu (Sr., Bowie, Md. / Largo / CCBC Dundalk) was consistent with eight points and seven rebounds on a night where rebounds were few and far between. He led the Phoenix who edged the Ravens 29-28 on the glass.
For The Ravens
- Dejuan Taylor led the visitors with 22 points. He was 10-of-16 from the field and added seven rebounds.
- Denelle Holly added 13 points and eight boards for Rosemont while Brian Mordi also scored a baker's dozen after he was 5-of-6 from the field.
Up Next
The Phoenix will head north to take on Keystone on Saturday. It's a pivotal battle within the Skye Division standings as Wilson is currently a half-game ahead of the Giants for third place. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
