(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Allie Cullison (Sr., Wesminster, Md. / Winters Mill / Kean) hit a baseline jumper to break a tie game with 21 seconds left to help propel Wilson to a United East win over Penn State Berks Wednesday. The Phoenix held off the Nittany Lions' late surge to win their second game in their last three outings.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 76, Penn State Berks 72
Venue: Gannett Memorial Field House
Records: Wilson 3-6, 2-0 UE; Penn State Berks 0-7, 0-1 UE
How It Happened
- The start of the game saw Wilson on fire as it opened up a 9-0 lead. Adrianna Stricek (Jr., Harrisburg, Pa. / Trinity) lit the fuse with a layup and followed up with a steal that transitioned into a bunny by Cullison who converted the and-one free throw after she was fouled. Jewels Torres (Jr., York, Pa. / West York) one-upped her after she drained a 3-pointer on a dish from Cullison and was knocked to the floor before hitting the free throw. Berks eventually found a rhythm, but Wilson led by as many as 10 after a pair of Chloe Irving (FY, Martinsburg, Pa. / Martinsburg) free throws late in the first.
- The Nittany Lions remained competitive and came back to tie the game on a Gianna Roberts triple with 3:46 left in the half. Stricek countered with a jumper on an Irving assist. Irving added a layup after a steal and assist from Lae Black (Jr., Laurel, Md. / Meade / Bluefield State). Irving added a pair of free throws before Berks' Ashlyn Clark hit a 3-pointer to set the score 37-34 at the break.
- A Stricek lay-in on the connection from Torres sparked a 10-0 run at the end of the third quarter. A free throw and jumper by Kailee Soto (FY, Lancaster, Pa. / Columbia) added to it and made the score 56-47 at the end of the frame. Laela Robinson (Sr., Lancaster, Pa. / Conestoga Valley) added a 3-pointer and Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon (So., Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) capped it with a layup for a 61=47 lead with 7:12 left in the game. Berks didn't quit and used an 8-0 run late in the fourth to tie the game with 41 seconds left. The Phoenix remained composed and answered on the return trip which resulted in Cullison's jumper along with Stricek and Robinson free throws that set the final score.
Inside The Numbers
- Stricek had one of her best games of the season and led all players with 20 points. She was 9-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds.
- Cullison finished with 15 markers and was 6-of-13 from the field.
- Chelcie Forrester (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg / WVU Potomac State) had a strong day from the field with 10 points and was 4-for-6. She was decent on the glass with five rebounds as well.
- Berks had four players reach double-figures, including Hailey Miller who had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Roberts paced the Nittany Lions with 18 points and seven assists.
Up Next
The Phoenix head to the Garden State to take on Saint Elizabeth in another United East contest. Tipoff with the Eagles is set for 1 p.m.
