(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Saturday's men's basketball matinee between Wilson and Saint Elizabeth was a barnburner for everyone in attendance. It was a high-scoring affair that saw both teams tied at 84 with 3:44 to play, but unfortunately the flame of the Phoenix was extinguished as the Eagles closed out the game on a 16-4 run to take the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 88, St. Elizabeth 100
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 8-11, 6-4 UE; St. Elizabeth 8-11, 6-4 UE
How It Happened
- St. Elizabeth had a hot start and jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the first five minutes. Wilson eventually cut the deficit down to two following a 3-pointer by Armani Jones (Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King / Bryant & Stratton), but the Eagles remained in control and eventually pushed their advantage out to nine once again. A pair of Tye-Rell Monroe free throws had St. E's up eight with 3:22 to play before the Phoenix heated up and closed the half in impressive fashion. Gary Robertson (Gr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant & Stratton) sparked the rally with a layup while being fouled and converted the and-one free through before Nirobi Peeler Jr. (Jr., Largo, Fla. / Clearwater) tied the game with an old-fashioned three-point play himself to go with two additional free throws. Peeler Jr. remained on fire with a 3-pointer to put the Phoenix in front while Robertson added another pair at the line to help give Wilson a 48-47 lead at the break.
- The Eagles started the second with another fast start eventually going back up by nine. A Monroe layup had the visitors up 62-53, but the Phoenix were quick to tie it on another Robertson and-one layup, a Winston Raford (So., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) trey, and a Trea Keys (Sr., Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake / Howard C.C.) triple. That bloomed into a 15-2 run with yet another Robertson and-one layup to put the Phoenix up 68-64. From there the teams went back and fourth and for the next seven minutes with Peeler Jr. putting both teams square at 84 with 3:44 to go in regulation. From there, St. E's Monroe took control as he scored nine of his squads 18 down the stretch to score the win.
Inside The Numbers
- Robertson had his second-highest point total of the season and finished with 29 to lead the team. He went 10-for-17 from the field and 9-for-12 at the charity stripe. He added three assists and three steals.
- Peeler Jr. scored a baker's dozen for the second consecutive game with a pair of 3-pointers to his credit.
- Keys and Raford both added 12 points each. Keys pulled down four rebounds while Raford was impressive on the perimeter with four triples.
- Jones hit double figures with 10 point and added four rebounds.
- Monroe finished with 39 points to move into second nationally in points per game in Division III. He was 7-for-14 from the field, 5-for-9 from 3-point range, and 20-for-24 at the free throw line. He added a double-double with 16 rebounds.
- Cam'Ron Martel added 22 points and 14 rebounds for the Eagles. Malamin Kaba finished with 21 points and eight boards.
Up Next
Wilson will look to bounce back when it takes on Penn State Berks in Reading on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
