(LANGHORNE, Pa.) – For the third time this season, multiple overtimes were needed as the Wilson men's basketball team took on Cairn on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, this one didn't turn out as well as it did last Sunday as they were nicked by one point by the Highlanders.
A trio of Phoenix had 20-point games which included
Nirobi Peeler Jr. (Jr., Largo, Fla. / Clearwater) who scored 26 in a breakout game.
Gary Robertson (Gr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant & Stratton) tossed in 25 while
Armani Jones (Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King / Bryant & Stratton) added a double-double with 20 and 15 rebounds.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 98, Cairn 99
Venue: Mason Activity Center
Records: Wilson 7-10, 5-3 UE; Cairn 9-7, 6-2 UE
How It Happened
- Peeler Jr. and Jones helped push the Phoenix at the start with a strong first half. Peeler Jr. hit a pair of 3-pointers while Jones was well on his way to a double-double with nine points and seven rebounds. An early 8-0 run put Wilson up 13-5, and although the Highlanders were able to erase the deficit, strength on the glass by the Blue and White and a pair of late 3-pointers. Winston Raford (So., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) provided one that set the score at 36-29. Peeler Jr. followed with a pair of free throws and hit another triple at the buzzer to put the Phoenix up 41-29 at halftime.
- Jones and Peeler Jr. remained hot in the second half, but the Highlanders heated up even more. The hosts shot at a 55.6% clip with Josiah Hardy leading them with 18 second half points to tie the game at the end of regulation.
- In the first overtime, neither team led by more than a single possession. A pair of free throws helped Cairn take an 84-81 lead, but three free throws by Robertson allowed Wilson to tie the game and force a second overtime.
- Cairn opened up the final period with a dunk, but Robertson drained a triple to regain the lead. Trea Keys (Sr., Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake / Howard C.C.) followed up with a layup, and after a steal, Jalen Pierce (Jr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) added another bunny to give Wilson a 91-86 lead. Back-to-back treys by Cairn quickly erased the deficit and left the teams to battle it out once again down the stretch. A Keys free throw put the Phoenix up one, but a late foul sent Cairn to the line where they made a pair to go up one with .3 left on the clock. Wilson was unable to get a final shot off as time expired.
Inside The Numbers
- Peeler Jr.'s breakout game saw him go 8-for-17 from the field with four 3-pointers, easily giving him his best game of the season. The 26 points also gave him co-game high honors with Cairn's Hardy.
- Robertson was once again solid with a 25-piece as he went 10-for-16 from the field with three assists.
- Jones double-double was his sixth of the season.
- Wilson was 28-for-35 from the free throw line. It was the second-most makes and attempts in a game this season.
Up Next
A trip to the Charm city awaits the Phoenix as they take on Notre Dame on Wednesday. Tip-off with the Gators is set for 7:30 p.m.
