(HARRISONBURG, Va.) – Four players scored in double figures, but it wasn't enough as Wilson fell to Eastern Mennonite in the final moments on Saturday afternoon. The Royals took the lead on a layup in the final minute and the Phoenix were unable to answer as time ran out.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 57, Eastern Mennonite 60
Venue: Yoder Arena
Records: Wilson 1-4, 0-0 UE; Eastern Mennonite 5-1, 0-0 ODAC
How It Happened
- After EMU built up a seven point lead to start the game, Wilson scored five of the next seven points in the final two minutes to end the first quarter on a high note. That fed into a hot start for the second period as Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon (So., Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) drained a 3-pointer on a dish from Jewels Torres (Jr., York, Pa. / West York) before Torres gave the Phoenix their first lead with a layup. Although the Royals regained the lead, Wilson stuck with them and trailed 24-23 at the break.
- The two teams exchanged leads thrice to start the second half before Wilson closed the third quarter on fire with a 3-point barrage. Leah Laubach (FY, Marietta, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) put the Phoenix up 33-32 with a trey, and Kailee Soto (FY, Lancaster, Pa. / Columbia) added one herself for a 38-34 lead with 1:22 on the clock. Lae Black (Jr., Laurel, Md. / Meade) and Torres both hit jumpers from range to close the third on a 14-3 run and a 44-35 lead to start the fourth.
- EMU slowly chipped away and eventually caught up with the Phoenix after a Jeriyah Osborne jumper inside tied the game at 53-all with 3:29 left in regulation. Teams exchanged triples as Allie Cullison (Sr., Westminster, Md. / Winters Mill) landed hers before Lauren Townsend did the same for the Royals. A Cullison free throw with 56 second left put Wilson up, but EMU answered with a layup on the return trip with 47 ticks left showing. After the Royals added a layup with 10 seconds to go, Wilson had a good look at a 3-pointer that went off the right side of the iron. Although Adrianna Stricek (Jr., Harrisburg, Pa. / Trinity) pulled down the offensive rebound, time ran out as she tried to get another open look.
Inside The Numbers
- A balanced offense saw four players score in double-figures with Torres, Black and Laubach leading the way with 11 points each. Laubach went 4-for-5 and Black went 4-for-7 overall while both added three rebounds.
- Soto had her best game of the season as she went 3-for-4 for 10 points. All of her attempts were from behind the arc.
- Wilson was edged on the boards 44-42 overall, but the Phoenix stayed competitive underneath largely thanks to Strick who pulled down 15 rebounds. It's one shy of her season best and the fourth time she's recorded double-figures in rebounds this year.
- EMU had similar numbers with four players in double-figures led by Grace Burke who had 15 markers. Laila Glymph hatched a double-double with 10 points and 14 boards.
Up Next
The Phoenix will gear up for its conference opener which takes place Tuesday as they welcome Notre Dame. It will be a women's and men's doubleheader with the Gators with the women starting things off at 5 p.m.
