(BALTIMORE, Md.) – The Wilson women's basketball team battled Notre Dame on the road in United East in a tight contest Wednesday evening. It was a nailbiter through the first three periods of play, but the Gators were able to pull away in the fourth to hand the Phoenix the defeat.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 58, Notre Dame 75
Venue: MBK Athletic Complex
Records: Wilson 8-9, 2-4 UE; Notre Dame 9-7, 5-1 UE
How It Happened
- The first quarter of the game featured back-and-forth action for the whole 10-minute duration with six lead changes. Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon (Jr., Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) gave the Phoenix the hot start with two early buckets. Chloe Irving (So., Martinsburg, W.Va. / Martinsburg) helped push a balanced offense with a pair of buckets as well while Chelcie Forrester (Sr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg / WVU Potomac State) added three points down the stretch to put teams square at 17-all headed to the second.
- The score stayed close for the bulk of the second quarter. Notre Dame led most of the time, but each time the hosts went in front, Wilson was able to answer and tie the game. The Phoenix were able to go in front late as a Lae Black (Sr., Laurel, Md. / Meade / Bluefield State) 3-pointer made it 28-27 with 1:26 until halftime, but the Gators were able to close out the half with a pair of layups for a three-point lead at the break.
- The third quarter played out eerily similar to the second with Wilson answering each time the Gators scored. The Phoenix eventually tied the game on an Irving layup to make the score 38-all with 3:39 left in the frame. After a Notre Dame free throw, Black hit another 3-pointer to put Wilson in front once again 41-39. Unfortunately for them, the Gators soon caught fire and went on an 11-1 to close the third up 50-42. That momentum continued into the fourth where the Gators extended their lead en route to the win.
Inside The Numbers
- Leah Laubach (So., Marietta, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) led the Phoenix with 16 points after she went 7-for-14 from the field. Jewels Torres (Sr., York, Pa. / West York) joined her in double-figures with 12 points. Both added four assists to lead the team.
- The team shot particularly well going 23-for-49 from the field for 46.9%, its second best mark of the season.
- Amani Watts led the Gators with 22 points and made it a double-double with 14 rebounds.
Up Next
The Phoenix will be a little further south as they go to the nation's capital on Saturday to take on Gallaudet. Tipoff has been moved up one hour and is now slated for a 2 p.m. start.
