(PHOENIXVILLE, Pa.) – A dominant fourth quarter aided Wilson as it defeated Valley Forge Saturday afternoon to clinch a spot in the United East championship tournament later this month. The Phoenix trailed by one after the Patriots caught them off guard and controlled the third quarter, but Wilson was able to flip the script to win by 11.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 61, Valley Forge 50
Venue: UVF Gymnasium
Records: Wilson 8-15, 7-7 UE; Valley Forge 4-18, 3-11 UE
How It Happened
- Both teams came out a little cold, but Wilson was able to take advantage of seven Patriot turnovers and turn them into nine points in the opening frame. The last of those helped the Phoenix regain the lead after a 9-2 Valley Forge run put the hosts in front. Kailee Soto (FY, Lancaster, Pa. / Columbia) provided the bucket with a 3-pointer on a Chloe Irving (FY, Martinsburg, W.Va. / Martinsburg) dish for a 13-11 lead and helped the Phoenix head to the second up 15-12.
- The Wilson defense provided more problems for the Patriots in the second quarter by causing 11 turnovers. Although the Phoenix couldn't turn them into as many points as they did in the first, it put a roadblock on Valley Forge's advance and helped extend the Phoenix lead. Jumpers by Laela Robinson (Sr., Lancaster, Pa. / Conestoga Valley) and Leah Laubach (FY, Marietta, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) in the middle of the frame put Wilson up by double-digits. On the opposite end Wilson's defense held Valley Forge scoreless for a stretch of 6:16 to help take a 28-20 lead into halftime.
- Valley Forge came alive after the break. After a Lae Black (Jr., Laurel, Md. / Meade / Bluefield State) layup put Wilson up 11 with 8:26 left in the third, Valley Forge went on a 19-4 run to take a 40-36 lead with 2:07 remaining in the period. The Phoenix were able to gain back some momentum as Soto hit another triple to beat the buzzer and make it a one-point game going to the fourth.
- After a Dominique Barnes jumper put UVF back up by three, Laubach tied the game after she was fouled on a layup and converted the and-one free throw. The Patriots turned the ball over on the next trip to allow Chelcie Forrester (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg / WVU Potomac State) to put Wilson in front on a Soto assist. It was still a one-possession game until Robinson drained a trey to make it 52-46 game with 3:34 left in regulation and started a 12-4 run to end the game.
Inside The Numbers
- Laubach led the Wilson Blue and White with 17 points on the day. She was perhaps more impressive defensively as she made eight steals, the most for the Phoenix in a single game since Amber Watkins made eight swipes against Trinity Washington exactly six years ago.
- Forrester also hit double-figures offensively with 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Irving was a rebound shy of double figures to lead Wilson on the glass.
- The 17 combined Phoenix steals are tied for the second-most in a game this season.
- The 37 Valley Forge turnovers are the most by a Wilson opponent since Trinity Washington had 42 exactly six years ago.
Playoff Picture
- With a postseason appearance clinched, the Phoenix are currently tied for 10th place with two games to go.
- Wilson can finish anywhere from tied for seventh to 12th. Seeds 5 through 8 will host first round playoff games against seeds 9 through 12. The top four seeds get byes to the quarterfinals.
Up Next
Wilson will head on the road for the final time in the regular season to take on Penn State Brandywine on Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
