(ANNVILLE, Pa.) – The temperature outside may have been freezing, but
Armani Jones (Sr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King / Bryant and Stratton) was blazing hot as he scorched the nets for 37 points as Wilson defeated Lebanon Valley Tuesday afternoon. It rubbed off the rest of the team who shot just over 50% for the day and helped the Phoenix overcome a 17-point deficit to the Flying Dutchmen.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 88, Lebanon Valley 82
Venue: Sorrentino Gymnasium
Records: Wilson 4-10, 0-2 United East; Lebanon Valley 2-8, 0-0 MAC Freedom
How It Happened
- Early on things didn't go well for the Phoenix as LVC raced out to a 20-3 lead in the first 5:33 of the game. The hosts opened up with a 3-pointer and proceeded to go 7-of-9 with a pair of free throws during that stretch. On the opposite side Wilson had just one field goal, a mid-range jumper by Jalen Bowie (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Frederick / Shippensburg) that split a pair of Dutchmen triples to start the game and didn't get another bucket until Tobias Reese (So., Mansfield, Texas / St. Elizabeth (Del.)) put Wilson back on track with a 3-pointer with 12:53 left in the first half.
- It was a much-needed spark for a 27-12 run allowed Wilson to flip the script and get back into contention. Jones's triple with 5:31 left made the score 32-28 and Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) put the Phoenix back within two after LVC missed on the return trip.
- Although the Dutchmen led by five at the half, Wilson caught up at the start of the second. A Jones jumper and a trey by Jaylin Davis (Sr., Hampton, Va. / Kecoughtan / Lynchburg) tied the game at 42-all before Pierce put the Phoenix ahead with a jumper to cap a 7-0 run and give Wilson the lead.
- The lead switched hand eight times from there with the last of those coming on a fast break dunk that made the score 64-62 with 9:50 to go in the game. More importantly it fanned the flames on a 15-4 run over nearly five minutes to give Wilson a 10-point lead with 6:04 left on the clock. LVC cut the deficit to four with 63 seconds remaining, but got no closer as the Phoenix defense kept the Dutchmen scoreless the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Jones's career day saw him go for 37 points in dominating fashion as he went 14-for-20 overall from the field. He was particularly dangerous behind the arc where he was 6-for-9.
- Jones just didn't get it done offensively. He pulled in 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.
- Pierce and Bowie both threatened double-doubles as well. Pierce followed Jones with 16 points and was 5-for-9 from the field with seven rebounds. Bowie chalked up 11 points and nine caroms.
- Reese added 10 points to round out Wilson double-figure scorers. Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) was a point shy with nine.
- The 11 3-pointers matched the second-most in a single game by the Phoenix. The last time came two games ago at Hampden-Sydney.
- Jones's previous career-high was 34 which came last season against Valley Forge.
- The 37 points are the most scored by a Phoenix since Darryl Garib poured in a program-record 44 against Keystone on December 2, 2023.
- Lebanon Valley was led by Demarcus Bandy who scored 25 off the bench. Jason Penn added 22 for the Dutchmen.
Up Next
Wilson will return to United East play as it heads to Rosemont on Saturday for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
