(MIDDLETOWN, Pa.) – It was a celebratory Wilson Wednesday for the Phoenix women's basketball team as it defeated Penn State Harrisburg in the United East opener. It's just the second time in program history that the Phoenix have defeated the Lions and the first since 2013.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 64, Penn State Harrisburg 47
Venue: Capital Union Building
Records: Wilson 5-4, 1-0 United East; Penn State Harrisburg 1-7, 0-1 United East
How It Happened
- Harrisburg scored the opening to baskets, but other than that it was an excellent start for the Phoenix. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Kailee Soto (So., Lancaster, Pa. / Columbia) and Lae Black (Sr., Laurel, Md. / Meade / Bluefield State) quickly put Wilson within one before Leah Laubach (So., Marietta, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) put the visitors in the lead with a layup. The teams were locked at 15 before Chloe Irving (So., Martinsburg, W.Va. / Martinsburg) added a free throw and followed up with a steal and a layup to beat the first quarter buzzer.
- In the second quarter, Wilson had one of its finest defensive efforts and limited the Lions to just five points on two baskets and a free throw. On the opposite end the Phoenix received a collaborative effort with five players contributing 14 points between them. They finished the half strong as well with Forrester scoring a pair of layups sandwiched around a Laubach layup for a 32-20 lead at the break.
- Wilson remained strong in the second half and had a boost offensively from Black. She scored eight points in the third alone which included a 3-pointer and 3-for-3 at the free throw line to help the Phoenix extend the lead. Harrisburg threatened to get the game back in single digits after a layup made the score 51-41 with 7:08 left, but Black answered with a triple and Jewels Torres (Sr., York, Pa. / West York) scored on a fast break layup within a minute. The Phoenix maintained that separation and led by as many 19 to take the win.
Inside The Numbers
- Black had her best game of the season as she finished with 16 points while shooting 5-for-12 from the field. She was 3-for-4 behind the arc while adding six rebounds and two steals to her stat line.
- Forrester finished with an even 10 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
- Laubach finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
- Soto and Irving added eight points each.
- Wilson has now won two of its last three matchups with Penn State Harrisburg.
- The Phoenix have won their last four conference openers.
Up Next
The Phoenix welcome Cairn to the Gannett Memorial Field House for a 3:30 p.m. tipoff on Saturday.
