(CRESSON, Va.) – A red-hot shooting night and a dominant second half helped the Wilson Phoenix climb over the Mount Aloysius Mounties for the first win of the season on Thursday evening. Five players scored in double-figures for the Phoenix with
Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) and
Jalen Bowie (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Shippensburg) leading the team with 22 points each.
Overall, the Phoenix shot 52.3% from the field and led by as many as 19 in the second half before holding off a late charge by the home squad.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 94, Mount Aloysius 85
Venue: MAC Athletic, Convocation, and Wellness Center
Records: Wilson 1-3, 0-0 United East; Mount Aloysius 0-4, 0-0 AMCC
How It Happened
- Despite the Mounties scoring the first two baskets of the game, it didn't take long for the Phoenix to heat up as they proceeded to go on a 10-0 run to take the lead. Wilson came from all angles as well with Bowie, Pierce, Armani Jones (Sr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King Prep) and Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) comprising of the rally. A Pierce layup later made it 17-8 with 12:34 to go in the first as Wilson appeared to be in control, but the Mounties pushed back and regained the lead with a Donnie Bass Briscoe layup that made it 26-25 with 4:04 remaining. The lead changed hands twice before a Raford 3-pointer separated a 33-all tie to put Wilson in front for good. The Phoenix proceeded to carry a 39-35 lead into the halftime break.
- The Phoenix started the second half on fire by making their first five shots and two free throws. Three of the buckets were from distance as Davis opened the frame with a trey and Pierce sandwiched a Mounties bucket with a pair of triples to make the score 52-42 just over three minutes into the second. After Mount Aloysius cut the deficit to six with a 3-pointer, Wilson proceeded to go on a 19-6 run capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Cameron Rothstein-Epp (FY, Bethesda, Md. / Chevy Chase) to make the score 77-58 with 7:21 to go. He added another from long range as he scored all nine of his points during that stretch to give the Phoenix a welcomed boost.
- Wilson wasn't out of the woods just yet as the Mounties mounted a furious comeback attempt. They were able to get within single digits after a Finian Hutchison trey, however the Phoenix sank 8-of-10 from the charity stripe in the final 62 seconds to ice the win.
Inside The Numbers
- The 94 points are the most Wilson has scored in regulation since hitting 96 points in a home win against Rosemont on January 31, 2024. The 94 points are also the most scored against Mount Aloysius so far this season.
- Bowie recorded a double-double as he chalked up 22 points after he went 9-for-14 from the field with 11 rebounds, all of which were on the defensive end. He was four assists shy of a triple-double and swiped two possessions away from the Mounties as well.
- Pierce continues to blister the nets as he went 9-for-11 overall and 3-for-5 from downtown. He is now shooting 75% from the field to start the season and has made 7-of-11 3-point attempts. Pierce added six rebounds on the evening and handed out four assists.
- Jones was one board shy of another double-double. He scored 14 after he went 5-for-8.
- Raford and Jaylin Davis (Sr., Hampton, Va. / Kecoughtan / Lynchburg) each added a baker's dozen. Raford drained three 3-pointers while Davis swished a pair while feeding seven assists.
- Wilson held a slight 36-34 advantage on the glass.
Up Next
The Phoenix will entertain Messiah for the home opener on Saturday. Tipoff with the Falcons is set for 3 p.m. following the women's basketball game against Eastern Mennonite at 1.
