Men's Basketball Tripped Up At H-SC's Holiday Classic

(FARMVILLE, Va.) – Wilson opened up a busy weekend by taking on host No. 16 Hampden-Sydney in its annual Holiday Classic tournament Friday evening. The Phoenix stuck with the Tigers for most of the first half, but a 14-2 run at the end of the opening frame provided H-SC the separation it needed to go to the win.

The Basics

Score: Wilson 67, No. 16 Hampden-Sydney 86

Venue: S. Douglas Fleet Gymnasium

Records: Wilson 3-9, 0-2 United East; No. 16 Hampden-Sydney 6-2, 1-1 ODAC

How It Happened

• An early Tobias Reese (So., Mansfield /  ) 3-point gave Wilson a quick lead before the Tigers answered with an 8-0 run and a stifling defense to take a 10-3 lead with 13:42 to go in the first. Additional treys by Armani Jones helped the Phoenix get back within six on a couple of occasions with the latter of those which made the score 19-13 just after the midway point of the first. The Blue and White stayed within six at 22-16 after a Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Val. / Collegiate / Millersville) free throw before Hampden-Sydney closed the half on a 14-2 run.
• The second half saw Wilson make attempts to get back into contention, but each time the hosts thwarted the comeback. Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge / Forest Park) hit a 3-point with 13:36 to go in regulation and a jumper by Jalen Bowie (XXX) later made it a 13-point game at 48-35 with a jumper. Bowie later blocked a Tigers' shot which resulted in a fast break layup from Raford. Jones got Wilson back within 10 at 63-53 with 8:32 to go, but unfortunately that was the closest Wilson could get the rest of the way.

Inside The Numbers

• Raford had an incredible game with a team-high 19 points. He was 7-for-16 from the field with four 3-pointers. His previous career-high was 18 scored on January 22, 2025. Wilson defeated Notre Dame that night in overtime.
• Jones had another solid day with his fourth double-double of the season. He finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Up Next
Wilson will close out the busy week with another national ranked team from the ODAC in Roanoke. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.