(WINCHESTER, Va.) – Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) had another outstanding night in the field and
Armani Jones (Sr., Christ The King / Bryant & Stratton) recorded a double-double, but it wasn't enough as Wilson fell to Shenandoah on Saturday. The Phoenix went back-and-forth with the Hornets with 14 lead changes and seven ties with the hosts able to pull away in the second half.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 61, Shenandoah 70
Venue: Wilkins Events Center
Records: Wilson 0-3, 0-0 United East; Shenandoah 2-0, 0-0 ODAC
How It Happened
- Both teams were evenly matched for the opening 11 minutes as neither team held more than a one-possession lead. That eventually changed when Ellis Wright gave the hosts a 22-17 lead after a layup coupled with an and-one free throw. Shortly after Dorian Davis made a 3-pointer for a six-point lead before the Phoenix made a charge. Pierce sparked the offense with a jumper inside, grabbed a rebound on Shenandoah's return trip, and found Jones for a fast break dunk. The duo switched roles and Jones grabbed a board before finding Pierce for a layup to tie the game at 25-all. Jaylin Davis (Sr., Hampton, Va. / Kecoughtan / Lynchburg) later got a steal and coasted in for a layup to give the Blue and White a 30-27 lead, but the Hornets closed the half with the final five points for a two-point lead at the break.
- Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) opened the second with a triple to put the Phoenix back in front which was quickly answered by one from the Hornets. On the heels of a Jalen Bowie (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Frederick / Shippensburg) steal, Pierce tied the game once again with a layup and Jones put Wilson back in front with a jumper. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, it would be their last lead of the night. Shenandoah tied the game on their next possession and took the lead on a layup following a miss by Wilson. The Phoenix stayed within a possession as late as 46-43 following a Bowie layup before the Hornets went on an 8-0 run, their largest of the day, to take an 11-point lead with 10:39 to go. Shenandoah led by at least nine the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Pierce continued to shine as he scored a team-high 17 points on an 8-of-13 night. He is now shooting 72.7% (24-for-33) from the field this season.
- Jones tallied 16 and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds. It's the first double-double of the season for him and the 11th of his career at Wilson.
- Bowie hit double-figures again with 10 points while adding five rebounds and two steals to his stat line.
- Wilson has taken care of the ball well in all three games so far this season. The Phoenix had just 10 turnovers for the second time this season and had 11 in the other game.
Up Next
The four-game road stretch continues with a trip to Mount Aloysius on Thursday. Tipoff with the Mounties is set for 7 p.m.
