(BALTIMORE, Md.) – Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) had a career night as he totaled 34 points against Notre Dame in United East action on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as the Gators used a second half surge to pull ahead and hold off a late rally by the Phoenix.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 97, Notre Dame 99
Venue: Gator Court
Records: Wilson 5-13, 1-5 UE; Notre Dame 12-8, 5-1 UE
How It Happened
- Wilson got off to a hot start with a 9-2 lead thanks to buckets by Pierce, Jaylin Davis (Sr., Hampton, Va. / Kecoughtan / Lynchburg), Jalen Bowie (Sr., Frederick, Md. / Frederick / Shippensburg), and Armani Jones (Sr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King / Bryant and Stratton) in the first three minutes. The Gators responded with a 9-0 run to gain the lead and started a back-and-forth battle that lasted the rest of the half. The lead exchanged five more times and neither team led by more than two possessions for the rest of the frame. A Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) 3-pointer made it a five-point game in favor of the Phoenix with 64 seconds until halftime before the hosts answered with a layup to make it a 52-49 difference at the break.
- At the start of the second half, early technical fouls on the Gators and another Raford triple helped built momentum for the Blue and White as well as a 59-49 lead 1:03 into the half. The 10-point lead was also the largest for either team in the game. The Gators started to battle back and eventually took a 67-66 lead following a Carlos Green layup at the 13:40 mark. While a trey and a mid-range jumper by Pierce had the Phoenix back in front moments later, Notre Dame went on a 17-8 run to take control of the game.
- The Phoenix didn't give up and rallied back to make it a one-possession game. Trailing by eight with 3:31 to go, Bowie started the push with a fast break layup on a feed from Jones. He added another bunny before dishing off to Jones for another lay-in to make it 92-90 with 2:24 remaining. Triples by Jones and Winston kept Wilson within reach with the last coming with four seconds left. A steal by Bowie on the inbounds pass gave the Phoenix one last chance, but a 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.
Inside The Numbers
- Pierce led all players with a career-high 34 points, and he did it with his usual high efficiency. He went 12-for-15 from the field and 3-for-5 from range. It was his 13th game scoring shooting at least 54.5% while scoring double-figures and his 11th while shooting at least 61.5%.
- Pierce's previous best was 30 points which came in the second game of the season against Eastern at Gettysburg.
- Jones was also excellent on the evening with 27 points. He went 11-for-22 from the field with three 3-pointers and was a rebound away from a double-double. He provided further defensive troubles for the Gators with four steals and two blocks.
- Raford finished with 15 points while going 5-for-11. He was 3-for-6 behind the arc. Davis added 11 while going 5-for-9.
- Wilson made 10 3-pointers for the fifth time this season. The Phoenix shot 43.5% on treys, their second-highest mark of the year.
- Marlon Lewis led Notre Dame with 33 points. He was 14-for-21 with 15 rebounds. Anthony Wright added a double-double as well with 10 points and 11 boards.
Up Next
The Phoenix head to the nation's capital to take on Gallaudet on Saturday. Tip-off with the Bison is set for a new start time of 12 p.m. It was originally scheduled for 1.
