(READING, Pa.) – Nirobi Peeler Jr. (Jr., Largo, Fla. / Clearwater / Millersville) and
Armani Jones (Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King / Bryant and Stratton) both recorded double-doubles to help Wilson defeat Penn State Berks in United East action on Tuesday evening. It was a close game for most of the contest, but the Phoenix were able to explode for a 20-3 run in the final six minutes to score the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 87, Penn State Berks 76
Venue: Beaver Community Center
Records: Wilson 9-11, 7-4 UE; Penn State Berks 5-13, 4-7 UE
How It Happened
- Similar to the women's game earlier in the night, the men start off fast with a 10-0 run with Peeler Jr. doing a bulk of the damage. After a Trea Keys (Sr., Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake / Howard C.C.) 3-pointer off the opening tip, Peeler Jr. dropped in one of his own from range before a couple of inside buckets. Wilson maintained a double-digit lead through the midway point of the half, but Berks went on an 18-5 run over a six-minute span to tie the game at 29-all with 4:03 until halftime. Another triple by Keys on the fast break helped Wilson regain the lead and a Gary Robertson (Gr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant and Stratton) layup allowed the Phoenix to take a 38-37 advantage at halftime.
- With teams going back-and-forth to start the second, a re-energized Berks looked to pull away as a 3-pointer by Josh Mingledorph put the hosts in front 54-50 at the 14:19 mark. It was their largest lead of the game, but it didn't last long as Robertson came right back with a layup and Keys tied it on a fast break layup.
- The game stayed within one possession for the next six minutes with Jaedon Mast giving Berks a 69-67 lead with 7:25 to go. Keys simply could not be stopped, however, as he hit his fifth and final trey of the game to put Wilson back in front. Robertson added the next four points before Peeler Jr. drained a jumper behind the arc to make the score 77-69. Berks answered with a triple of its own, but it did little to douse the flame of the Phoenix who reeled off the next 10 points to put the game out of reach.
Inside The Numbers
- Peeler Jr. led all players with 25 points. He was 8-for-16 from the field and 5-for-11 from 3-point range. The bulk of those points came in the first half where he had 20 points alone with four 3-pointers. He added 10 rebounds and three steals to flash his defensive skills as well.
- Keys was right behind him with 22, 16 of which came in the second half. He was 7-for-11 overall in the game and 5-for-6 on 3-point attempts. In the second half he was 5-for-8 and 3-for-4 in those categories.
- Earlier this season Jones set the program record for most rebounds in a single game with 24. He put up another 20-piece tonight for the only other 20 rebound game in program history. Offensively he was just as good with 16 points from a 6-for-8 day on the floor.
- Robertson slashed his way to 18 points while dishing out five assists. He was 8-for-15 overall and also had a strong second half with 14 markers.
- Overall Wilson was 31-for-64 for a shooting percentage of .484, its best of the season.
- The Phoenix made 13 treys on the night, the 11th game this season they've made at least 10. Their shooting percentage of .448 (13-for-29) was their third-highest this season.
Up Next
The longest trip of the season awaits the Blue and White as they head to the peninsula to take on St. Mary's. Tip-off with the Seahawks is set for approximately 3 p.m. following the women's game.
