(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Stuffed with determination and serving up a feast of defense, Wilson carved out a victory against Notre Dame in the United East opener just in time for Thanksgiving. The Phoenix defense seemingly gobbled up space to limit lanes for the Gators who were held under 30% shooting for the evening, while leaving no crumbs underneath and cleaned up the glass by winning the rebounding battle as well.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 61, Notre Dame 51
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 2-4, 1-0 UE; Notre Dame 1-6, 0-1 UE
How It Happened
- It was evident early that it would be a defensive battle between the two as a layup by Adrianna Stricek (F, Harrisburg, Pa. / Trinity) split a 3-3 tie just past the five minute mark of the first quarter. A minute later the Gators started a 3-point shootout to close the frame as Elena Rodriguez put the visitors up, but Kailee Soto (FY, Lancaster, Pa. / Columbia) answered with a couple of shots as sweet as pumpkin pie from downtown to put Wilson up 11-6 after one.
- An old-fashioned 3-point play by Allie Cullison (Sr., Westminster, Md. / Winters MIll) followed by a Stricek free throw put the Phoenix up by nine midway through the second. It was their largest lead in the first half, but the Gators were able to trim that to five as the Blue and White led 28-23 at halftime.
- Wilson kept it a two or three possession game for most of the third. The Gators made a run with an Amya Durham triple that made the score 39-34 with 2:31 left in the frame, but the Phoenix answered with a 7-0 run capped by a Jewels Torres (Jr., York, Pa. / West York) trey for a 46-34 lead, their largest advantage of the game. A Durham layup followed by an and-one free throw helped Notre Dame get back within six, but that was the closest they could get as Wilson slammed the door shut defensively and left no room for dessert.
Inside The Numbers
- Chelcie Forrester (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg / WVU Potomac State) had an excellent night as she led the Phoenix with 12 points after she went 5-for-9 from the field. She was a rebound shy with five offensive boards. Two led directly to four second chance points for the Phoenix.
- Torres and Cullison both added 11 each for Wilson. Stricek tallied double figures on the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds. Both hit a pair of 3-pointers. Torres also dished out six assists.
- Defensively Laela Robinson (Jr., Lancaster, Pa. / Conestoga Valley) stood out as she made four steals. Forrester added three.
- Wilson controlled the glass by a margin of 43-33.
- Durham led the Gators with 18 points. Bethani Newbold added 10 points and 11 caroms.
- Wilson has now defeated Notre Dame in three of the last four meetings and for the second-straight time.
Up Next
Wilson will head to Bridgewater, Virginia, to take on its fourth and final ODAC school of the season on Sunday. Tip-off with the Eagles is set for 2 p.m.
