(TOWSON, Md.) – The Wilson College men's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign Saturday afternoon with an offensive battle against Goucher College. The Phoenix showcased plenty of scoring potential led by a pair of impressive performances from veterans Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) and Winston Raford (Sr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park), but the Phoenix were unable to overcome an early deficit as the Gophers secured the season-opening victory.

The Basics

Score: Wilson 88, Goucher 99
Venue: Decker Sports & Recreation Center
Records: Wilson 0-1, 0-0  UE; Goucher 1-0, 0-0 Landmark

How It Happened

• Wilson came out with energy, trading baskets with Goucher in the opening minutes with Mohamed Sylla (Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. / Sankofa Freedom / Cecil) setting up an interior presence with a pair of early baskets. However, Goucher found its rhythm shortly after and used a 21-2 run to take control of the game. The Phoenix chopped away at the deficit, which was as high as 18, to get back within single digits after buckets by Pierce and Anthony Washington (Jr., North Wales, Pa. / Christopher Dock / Bucks CC). Ethan Salvatierra (So., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) added a layup with 92 seconds left to keep it at nine, but the hosts eventually put their lead back to a dozen by halftime.
• Goucher was able to maintain a double-digit lead for most of the second, but Wilson was able to stay within reach and got within single digits a few more times. The last of those came in the final minutes as a Pierce layup put the Phoenix within seven with 3:24 to go. A steal by Jordan Shifler (Jr., Cascade, Md. / GVCS Broadfording / Juniata) shortly after led to a Raford layup to make the score 90-84 21 seconds later. Unfortunately for the Phoenix that was the closest they would get the rest of the way.

Inside The Numbers

• Pierce led all scorers with 26 points on a spectacular day where he was 9-for-15 overall from the field. He was 7-for-8 at the charity stripe and dished out nine assists to spread the wealth as well.
• One of the main benefactors of that was Raford who was just shy of Pierce with a career-high 23 points. He too was over 50% with a 9-for-17 day overall and was 3-for-7 behind the arc.
• Both Pierce and Raford were strong defensively with four steals each.
• Tobias Reese (Jr., Mansfield, Texas / St. Elizabeth (Del.)) added a baker's dozen with 11 markers coming on 12 attempts.
• Depth helped the Gophers who outscored the Phoenix 46-16 in bench points.
• Jadyss Fifer and JP Prior led Goucher with 16 points each.

Up Next
The Phoenix will make the trek just up Route 11 to battle Shippensburg on Monday. It will be an exhibition contest for the Blue and White. Tip-off with the Raiders is set for 7 p.m.