(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Wilson took a big step towards securing a spot in the postseason by defeating rival Keystone in United East action on Saturday afternoon. With two games left in the regular season, the Phoenix are peaking at the right time with three-straight wins and four in their last five.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 81, Keystone 73
Venue: Gannett Memorial Field House
Records: Wilson 9-14, 5-6 UE; Keystone 6-17, 3-8 UE
How It Happened
- Keystone got off to the hot start with an 8-2 lead over the first four minutes before the Phoenix started to find their rhythm. Jalen Pierce (Sr., Richmond, Va. / Collegiate / Millersville) sparked the Blue and White with a 3-pointer before a steal by Tobias Reese (So., Mansfield, Texas / St. Elizabeth (Del.)) led to another triple by Winston Raford (Jr., Woodbridge, Va. / Forest Park) to pull Wilson even. After the Giants answered with a shot from long range as well, the Phoenix extended the run to 15-3 with Pierce adding another trey during the stretch.
- Wilson went on another big stretch and eventually went up double-digits when Jaylin Davis (Sr., Hampton, Va. / Kecoughtan / Lynchburg) made it 26-16 on an inside jumper with 7:54 to go in the first. The Phoenix then took a 14-point lead on a couple of occasions as Pierce sank a pair of free throws and Travis Blake Jr. (FY, Baltimore, Md. / North County) made a layup. The latter made it 34-20 with 4:10, but the Giants made a rally from there and closed the first half on a 14-2 run to get back into contention.
- Keystone was able to tie the game early in the second half on a couple of occasions. While the Phoenix defense bent a little, it did not break. After the Giants made it 42-all, Wilson scored the next six on a pair of Bowie free throws, an Armani Jones (Sr., Chicago, Ill. / Christ The King / Bryant and Stratton) layup, and a Raford deuce. Raford later hit a triple to make it 64-52 with 6:51 left in regulation. The Giants were only able to get as close as seven the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- Davis led the Blue and White with 18 points. Bowie and Raford were right behind him with 15 points each.
- Bowie had an excellent all-around game as he recorded the double-double with 13 rebounds. He provided the Giants additional issues with four blocks and three steals.
- Jones and Pierce both added 11 points with six and five rebounds, respectively.
- Reese was strong distributing the ball with a game-high six assists.
- Keystone's PJ Murphy led all players with 24 points.
Playoff Picture
- With one week left in the regular season, Wilson currently is tied with St. Mary's and Penn State Berks for the sixth seed.
- All five teams ahead of the Phoenix have two losses. Cairn, Notre Dame, and Penn State Harrisburg all have one game left. Lancaster Bible and Penn State Brandywine have two.
Up Next
Wilson's remaining games are at Valley Forge on Tuesday and home against Penn State Abington on Saturday.
