(BRYN ATHYN, Pa.) – A fourth quarter comeback attempt came up just short as Wilson fell to Bryn Athyn in a matchup between two of the top teams in the United East Skye Division on Wednesday evening. The Phoenix had their highest-scoring quarter in their last seven games, but the Lions countered by also generating an increased offensive output to stay in front for the win.
With the results the Phoenix drop to fourth place in the Skye Division, while the Lions move up to third place. Both teams have two games left in the regular season.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 74, Bryn Athyn 80
Venue: Asplundh Field House
Records: Wilson 11-12, 10-6 Skye; Bryn Athyn 14-7, 11-5 Skye
How It Happened
- The Lions benefited from a fast start as they opened with a pair of 3-pointers and another bucket for a quick 8-0 lead. Not one to go away quietly, Wilson answered with an 8-0 run of its own thanks to six points from Jewels Torres (So., York, Pa. / West York) to tie the game at 10-all. Bryn Athyn was able to regain control, however, and closed the first with a 22-14 lead. Bryn Athyn was able to extend its lead to a dozen on the heels of an 11-4 run midway through the second before entering the halftime break up 39-28.
- After adjustments at the break, the Blue and White put the comeback plan in motion. Midway through the third, jumpers by Yaya Cannon (Sr., Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) and Adrianna Stricek (So., Harrisburg, Pa. / Trinity) helped the Phoenix cut the deficit down to five. The Lions inflated their lead to a dozen once again, but Kate Seymour (FY, Churchton, Md. / Southern) found Hanna Brownlee (FY, Avella, Pa. / Avella) for a buzzer beating 3-pointer to give the Phoenix some much-needed momentum headed to the fourth down 54-46.
- A 3-point contest broke out to start the final frame with Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon (FY, Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) hitting a trey 18 seconds from the start. The Lions countered with a triple from Alayna Day, but Caldwell-Degnon added another bonus bomb to make the score 57-52. A minute later Caldwell-Degnon hit a jumper in the paint to put the score at 61-57. Later in the period she hit a pair of free throws to make the score 75-72, but the Phoenix was unable to get any closer.
Inside The Numbers
- Torres had a big night as she finished with 22 points. Most of her damage came at the free throw line where she was 14-of-16. She also led the team with four assists.
- Torres has been on a tear recently by scoring in double-figures in the last six games and 10 of her last 11. During that stretch she has increased her points per game average from 8.5 to 10.7.
- Double-double machine Stricek picked up her 12th of the season with 14 points and 13 boards. She was 5-of-7 from the field.
- Caldwell-Degnon joined Stricek with 14 points. She was 5-of-10 overall and 2-of-4 behind the arc. She added four rebounds to her stat line as well.
- Wilson was able to force 17 turnovers which translated into 19 points for the Phoenix. Conversely the Blue and White committed just eight turnovers themselves to set a new season-low by three.
- The Lions were able to control the inside game by outscoring Wilson 36-14 in the paint. Bryn Athyn also led the Phoenix 39-31 in rebounding.
- The Lions were led by a 31-point performance from Zhymani Smith. She went 12-for-21 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free throw line.
Up Next
The penultimate game of the regular season will come this Saturday as Wilson hosts Cairn. It will be Senior Day for the Phoenix who will honor
Yaya Cannon prior to the game. Tip-off with the Highlanders is set for 3 p.m.
