(ST. MARY'S CITY, Md.) – Armani Jones (Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ the King / Bryant & Stratton) went 9-for-15 from the field to score a team-high 21 points, but it wasn't enough for Wilson to overcome St. Mary's on Monday. The Phoenix and Seahawks were locked even at halftime before the hosts used a hot start in the second half to pull ahead and stay there the rest of the way.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 64, St. Mary's 77
Venue: O'Brien ARC Arena
Records: Wilson 9-12, 7-5 UE; St. Mary's 12-10, 8-5 UE
How It Happened
- St. Mary's had the upper hand early and took a 23-17 lead on a James Crimaudo 3-pointer midway through the first half. That lead grew to double-digits as another triple, this time by Ben Kobil, mad the score 29-18 with 6:21 until the midway break. The Blue and White were quick to respond as Trea Keys (Sr., Columbia, Md. / Wilde Lake / Howard C.C.) hit a jumper before he joined Nirobi Peeler Jr. (Jr., Largo, Fla. / Clearwater / Millersville) on back-to-back treys to cut the deficit to three. The Seahawks ended Wilson's run with a mid-range jumper, but a Jalen Pierce (Jr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) steal and jumper made it a one-possession game once again. After a St. Mary's layup, the Phoenix tied the game on a Gary Robertson (Gr., Washington, D.C. / Potomac / Bryant & Stratton) 3-pointer and a steal-and-score by Keys.
- After the break, layups by Peeler Jr. and Jones kept the Phoenix close in the opening minutes in the second half. That changed when St. Mary's went on a 17-0 run to take control of the game with a 56-37 advantage. Tobias Reese (FY, Mansfield Texas / St. Elizabeth (Del.)) nailed a trey to make it a 12-point game, but that was as close as Wilson could get the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Jones made his 21 after going 9-for-15 from the field with a 3-pointer and five rebounds. A dozen of his points came in the first half where he was 5-for-8.
- Robertson scored 14 while going 3-for-6 from the field. He was effective at drawing fouls and going to the line where he was a perfect 7-for-7.
- Keys hit double-figures as well with 11 markers.
- Wilson was clean taking care of the basketball with just eight turnovers, but St. Mary's held the advantage on the glass and outrebounded the Phoenix 37-28.
- The Seahawks had four players in double-figures. Crimaudo led the way with 22 points. He was 9-for-14 from the field and pulled down eight rebounds.
Up Next
The Phoenix will host Penn State Harrisburg on Wednesday for the penultimate home game of the regular season. Tip-off with the Nittany Lions is set for 7:30 p.m.
