(FREDERICKSBURG, Va.) – Gary Robertson (Gr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant and Stratton) surpassed 1,000 points for his collegiate career and
Trea Keys (Sr., Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake / Howard C.C.) hit the treys to score another career-high as Wilson took on Mary Washington on the road Tuesday evening. It helped the Phoenix stay even with the Eagles midway through the second half, but the hosts were able to pull away over the last eight minutes to take the victory.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 66, Mary Washington 78
Venue: Ron Rosner Arena
Records: Wilson 3-7, 2-1 UE; Mary Washington 4-4, 0-0 C2C
How It Happened
- Both halves played similarly in that they were close and saw Wilson tie the game midway through the frame only to see Mary Washington stretch out a lead as each one closed. Robertson swished a 3-pointer just over six minutes into the contest for a 7-6 lead before UMW answered with a 6-0 run. Layups by Keys and Antonio Perez Jr. (So., Frederick, Md. / Saint John's Catholic) later tied the game at 16-16, but again the Eagles countered with a 7-0 run. A triple by Keys cut the deficit to three with 22 seconds left before a buzzer-beating jumper by Kaden Bates gave the Eagles a 33-28 lead at the break.
- Mary Washington built off the momentum and stretched its lead to a baker's dozen in the first 4:39 of the second. The Phoenix battled through it as Keys lit a fuse with a triple to spark a comeback run. He followed up with a layup before Armani Jones (Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King / Bryant and Stratton) hit a 3-point jumper to get within five. After a pair of Robertson free throws, Keys completed the comeback with another one from distance to tie the game at 47-47 with 12:02 to play.
- Keys dropped another 3-pointer, his final of the game, to keep Wilson within one at 53-52 with 9:32. Mary Washington answered with an 9-0 run over the next three minutes. A Keys jumper stopped the run, but the Phoenix couldn't get any closer the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Robertson hit the 1,000-point plateau at the 12:36 mark of the second half as his free throws helped Wilson in its 13-0 run to tie the game. He now has 1,005 career points with 767 made in a Wilson uniform.
- Keys finished the evening with 22 points after he blistered the nets by going 8-for-13 from the field. He was 4-for-7 beyond the arc and spread the wealth as well with four assists. It's the second consecutive game he's scored a career-high after he posted 18 points at Lycoming.
- Jalen Pierce (Jr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) was also on fire as he tallied double-figures in his fifth-straight game. This time he went for 16 and shot 6-for-9 overall and 3-for-4 on triples.
- Robertson rounded out Phoenix players in double-figures offensively with 14 points. He made a pair of 3-pointers and dished out seven assists on the night.
- Jones hit double-digits on the glass with 10 caroms. It's the fourth time this season he's pulled down at least 10.
- Mary Washington led 30-18 with inside points, but Wilson countered by hitting 10 3-pointers compared to five by the hosts. It's the fourth time this season the Phoenix has made at least 10 and equals a season-best made in regulation.
- The Phoenix did well by shooting 54.55% (12-for-22) in the second half.
- The Eagles were led by Jay Randall who led the game with a career-high 29 points. He was 10-of-13 from the field and posted a double-double with 10 rebounds.
Up Next
The final home game and final two games of 2024 will take place this weekend. The Phoenix will open up by hosting Lebanon Valley on Saturday at 1 p.m. They will do back-to-back duty and make the short trip up Route 11 to take on Division II Shippensburg Sunday at 3 p.m.
