(GETTYSBURG, Pa.) – Saturday night featured a different Jalen as
Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) exploded for 30 points en route to a double-double for Wilson as it battled Eastern in the Gettysburg Tipoff Tournament. Unfortunately, the Eagles had the hot hands overall as they shot 52.5% to defeat the Phoenix by seven in the consolation game.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 77, Eastern 84
Venue: Bream Gymnasium
Records: Wilson 0-2, 0-0 UE; Eastern 1-1, 0-0 MAC Commonwealth
How It Happened
- It was another fast start for the Blue and White as a 9-0 run gave them an 11-7 lead with 4:59 gone in the first half. Jaylin Davis (Sr., Hampton, Va. / Kecoughtan / Lynchburg) was the catalyst as Pierce fed him three consecutive times for a layup, 3-pointer, and another layup. After Eastern answered with a dunk, Pierce caught fire with a pair of free throws and a layup following his own steal for a 15-9 lead. The Eagles eventually caught up and took the lead on a layup with 9:10 left in the frame. It was in the middle of a 23-7 run capped by a Connor Fleet triple to give Eastern a 32-22 lead. The Eagles led by as many as 11 before Jalen Bowie (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Frederick / Shippensburg) closed the half with a jumper to make it 38-29 at the break.
- Wilson benefited from another strong start in the second half. Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) drained a 3-pointer to spark the momentum switch. Pierce added another on a feed from Tobias Reese (So., Mansfield, Texas / St. Elizabeth (Del.)) before Raford scored a layup to make the score 40-37 just 2:26 into the half. However, that was the closest the Phoenix could get the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Pierce finished with 30 points on a spectacular night where he was 11-of-13 overall, a perfect 4-for-4 on 3-pointers, and made all four free throw attempts. He pulled down 11 rebounds for a double-double, dished out four assists, and pilfered three steals as well.
- Davis joined him in double figures with 19 points where he was 7-for-14 with two treys.
- Bowie and Reese were just a point away from double digits with nine points each.
- Olise Onyeka led an Eagles quintet that scored in double digits with 18 points. He pulled down 17 boards for a double-double to pace Eastern in both categories.
- After averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game, Bowie was selected to the all-tournament team for the Phoenix.
Up Next
Wilson heads to Baltimore to take on Division I Towson on Tuesday evening. While it's a regular season game for the Tigers, it will be an exhibition for the Phoenix. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
