(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Wilson got back into the win column in dominating fashion as it defeated Valley Forge in a non-conference game on Tuesday evening. The Phoenix excelled all around the court as
Leah Laubach (So., Marietta, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) barely missed,
Chloe Irving (So., Martinsburg, W.Va. / Martinsburg) threatened a triple-double, and
Jewels Torres (Sr., York, Pa. / West York) quarterbacked eight assists on the night.
The Blue and White held a 10-point lead at the half, but blew the game open even more with their best offensive quarter in the third. They outscored the Patriots by 21 in the process and coasted the rest of the way to the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 81, Valley Forge 46
Venue: Gannett Memorial Field House
Records: Wilson 3-2, 0-0 UE; Valley Forge 0-5, 0-0 UE
How It Happened
- The Phoenix defense was on display early as it forced four turnovers in the opening 1:19 and limited the Patriots to just one basket in the first five minutes. On the opposite side, Laubach got warmed up early and scored a pair of buckets to cap a 9-2 run to open the contest. Kailee Soto (So., Lancaster, Pa. / Columbia) added a 3-pointer with just over two minutes left to make it 14-6, but the pesky Patriots chipped away with the next five points coming at the free throw line before Irving beat the buzzer with a layup to keep Wilson up five.
- Wilson kept the defensive pressure on and inundated the Valley Forge offense in the last three minutes of the second quarter. At one point the Phoenix stole the ball away from the Patriots on four-straight possessions. Irving made the first which transitioned into a Laubach layup by way of Torres. Forrester then swipled the ball away before finding Laubach for another bunny. After a steal by Soto didn't result in points, Torres jumped in front of a pass and went the rest of the way uncontested for the score and a 34-23 lead with 1:23 to go before the break. Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon (Jr., Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) kept Wilson up double-digits at the half.
- The flood gates opened in the third quarter as Wilson put together its best frame of the season. The Phoenix missed their opening 3-point shot of the quarter, but responded by making their next six baskets to push the lead to 48-29. Valley Forge scored the next two baskets, but it did little to douse the Phoenix's flames as they went on a 17-0 run in a stretch of 4:32 to put the game out of reach. Irving was a catalyst during the offensive outburst. She assisted on the second bucket during the run, followed up with a steal and drew a foul, hit a free throw, and pulled down a defensive rebound which lead to a layup on an assist from Torres. Shortly after she blocked a shot that led to a Laubach bucket, had a rebound and put-back, and had a steal that turned into her own layup which gave Wilson its largest lead to that point. Soto pushed the lead to 37 after a 3-pointer, steal, and layup. It was their largest of the game.
Inside The Numbers
- The 29 points are the highest in a single quarter this season for the Phoenix. They shot 14-of-23 from the field with Laubach leading the way with eight points in the period. Irving had seven, while Forrester and Torres downed six.
- Laubach was nearly perfect after she went 10-for-13 en route to co-game high honors with 20 points for a new season high. She was two rebounds shy of a double-double.
- Irving had her best game of the season as she filled up the stat line with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six steals. Six of her rebounds were on the offensive.
- Torres had hot hands all night with 10 points after she went 5-for-10. She dished out eight assists and made three steals defensively.
- Soto and Lae Black (Sr., Laurel, Md. / Meade / Bluefield State) were each a point shy of double-figures. Soto was also strong defensively as she equaled Irving with six steals.
- The Phoenix controlled the paint all night as they outscored the Patriots 62-12 inside. Wilson made 31-of-52 inside and put Windex on the glass with a 55-25 rebounding advantage.
- Wilson totaled 21 steals, tying last week's mark against Trinity Washington for the most in a game this decade (2020-current).
- Ten different players reached the scoring column for the Blue and White.
- The 22 assists are the most the Phoenix have had since February 10, 2024, when they dished out 28 in an 83-76 win against Cairn. Torres made 11 that afternoon.
Up Next
Wilson will look to continue its strong start to the season and cap a four-game home stand with a win against Eastern Mennonite. Tipoff with the Royals is set for 1 p.m.
