(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The Wilson men's basketball team dropped a nail-biting heartbreaker as it fell to Cairn in overtime on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix tied the game with a pair of free throws with .4 remaining in regulation, but the Highlanders were able to edge the Blue and White in the extra period.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 89, Cairn 93 (OT)
Venue: Gannett Memorial Field House
Records: Wilson 2-8, 0-2 UE; Cairn 7-2, 2-0 UE
- The outside shot benefitted the Phoenix early on as their first nine points came on 3-pointers by Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) and two by Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park). The Highlanders eventually caught wind and made some perimeter shots themselves and used back-to-back triples to take a 19-16 lead midway through the contest. It started a momentum switch that put the visitors up 12 at 34-22 with 7:52 to go in the first half. The Phoenix did well to work their way back into the game and eventually cut the deficit down to two with Raford sinking an inside jumper in the paint in the final seconds.
- Cairn maintained the lead for most of the second half, but Wilson did go back in front as Armani Jones (Sr., Chicago, Ill.. / Christ The King / Bryant and Stratton) dropped an inside jumper to make the score 70-69 with 5:36 to go. From there it was close for the rest of the game. Cairn did hold a four-point lead with 1:02 to go before Wilson tied the game on a pair of Pierce free throws and a Jones layup. After goaltending was called to give the Highlanders the lead once again with two seconds left, Pierce was fouled on a chance to tie the game and he sank both to go to overtime.
- In the extra frame, Wilson took an 87-83 lead after four Pierce free throws. The Highlanders answered quickly with a layup and a 3-pointer to regain the lead. Unfortunately for the Phoenix, Cairn held it the rest of the way. Wilson had a chance to tie it, but a 3-point attempt was missed and the Highlanders made a free throw with three seconds left to put the game out of reach.
Inside The Numbers
- Jones finished with co-game high honors of 23 points. He was 9-for-14 from the field and added seven rebounds.
- Pierce was strong on both ends of the floor with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
- Jalen Bowie (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Frederick / Shippensburg) and Winston added 16 points. Bowie pulled in 12 boards for a double double, while Raford sank three 3-pointers.
- Tobias Reese (Sr., Mansfiled, Texas / St. Elizabeth (Del.)) added 12 points to complete the Phoenix quintet in double figures.
Up Next
The Phoenix are off a week before they host Marywood in Saturday, December 13.
