(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Wilson knocked off the defending United East champion Gallaudet after second half surge propelled the Phoenix to victory on Saturday afternoon. Trailing by six midway through the third, Wilson proceeded to go on a 20-2 run that stretched into the fourth quarter to secure the win.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 62, Gallaudet 53
Venue: Gallaudet Field House
Records: Wilson 9-9, 3-4 UE; Gallaudet 3-13, 2-6 UE
How It Happened
- The entirety of the first half was back-and-forth with neither team being able to pull away. In fact, no one held more than a two-possession lead until the second half run by the Phoenix. A Seanna Baird jumper midway through the first put the Bison up 14-9, but the Phoenix were able to finish the rest of the period on a 7-2 run to head into the second square with Gallaudet.
- That momentum carried over as the Blue and White turned it into a 13-2 run capped by a Chloe Irving (So., Martinsburg, W.Va. / Martinsburg) 3-pointer which made the score 22-16. Gallaudet answered by way of a 10-2 run to regain the lead and eventually went up by five before Wilson finished strong and took the lead into halftime after another Irving triple made the score 33-32.
- The second half started out cold for the Phoenix as the hosts jumped out to a six-point lead just 2:42 into the third. Thankfully the Phoenix were able to counter as Jewels Torres (Sr., York, Pa. / West York) drained a 3-pointer to make it a three-point game at 43-40. Kayla Shepard (So., Woodford, Va. / James Monroe) eventually put Wilson even with the Bison at 44-all on a layup 31 seconds later. Torres and Mackenzie Caldwell-Degnon (Jr., Rockville, Md. / Richard Montgomery) followed with treys to close the third.
- Buckets by Leah Laubach (So., Marietta, Pa. / Lancaster Catholic) and Chelcie Forrester (Sr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg / WVU Potomac State) continued the run at the start of the fourth. Forrester then added five points on a pair of layups and an and-one free throw to put the score at 57-45. Gallaudet was able to get the deficit down to six with 2:06 to go, but Wilson was able to fend off the comeback attempt.
Inside The Numbers
- Forrester was nearly unstoppable in all phases of the game for Wilson as she led all players with 18 points after going 7-for-10 from the field. She pulled down six rebounds and provided more fits for the Bison defensively with five steals.
- Torres also had an impressive day with 15 points. She added a pair of 3-pointers, dished out five assists, and made four steals as well.
- Caldwell-Degnon added 11 points to complete the double-figure scorers for the Phoenix. She was 4-for-7 overall and 3-for-6 behind the arc while adding five boards.
- Laubach put together a complete game and threatened a triple-double with nine points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.
- Irving led the team with eight rebounds.
- Sunita Schmidjorg led the Bison with 14 points after going 5-for-8. She added five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Up Next
The Phoenix return to action Tuesday when they host Penn State Brandywine. Tipoff with the Lions is set for 7:30 p.m. following the men's game.
