ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College basketball team got back in the win column with a 67-52 victory over Wilson College on Wednesday night at Lees Gymnasium.

The Phoenix controlled the first half, outscoring the Falcons 20-17 in the opening quarter and 13-7 in the second for a 33-24 halftime advantage.

Cedar Crest came out of the locker room and edged Wilson 11-6 over the first 5:38 to knot the contest at 37. The Falcons grabbed the lead after two free throws from junior Jenna McDonald (Ovid, N.Y./South Seneca) to make the score 38-37. Cedar Crest built a four-point margin following a three-pointer by senior Amiyah Peters (Plainville, Conn./Plainville) with 3:23 to play in the frame to push the score to 41-37. The Phoenix would pull even a few more times in the closing minutes and entered the final quarter with a 45-44 lead on a buzzer-beating shot from junior Yaya Cannon (Lancaster, Pa.).

The Falcons played strong in the final 10 minutes, holding Wilson to just seven points while scoring 23 of their own. Cedar Crest took the lead for good at the 7:07 (49-48) on a layup by junior Megan Peifer (Weatherly, Pa./Weatherly) and controlled the remainder of the contest. The home squad built a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter and closed the game with the 67-52 final.
Junior Ashley Wilson (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) posted her fourth-straight double-double with 25 points to go along with 20 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. Classmate Kelly Reid (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) also put up double digits in the scoring column with 14 points. She also collected six boards and two steals. Junior Jenna McDonald (Ovid, N.Y./South Seneca) had a solid all-around performance with eight points, eight rebounds, three steals, and one assist.

Cannon paced the Phoenix with a near double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds. She also registered four assists and a steal. Senior Michaela Singer (Annville, Pa.) joined Cannon in double figures with 13 points.

Cedar Crest (3-10 overall, 2-8 CSAC) will stay at home for a conference contest against Rosemont College on Saturday, January 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Wilson (8-7 overall, 7-3 CSAC) returns to action on Saturday at home against Bryn Athyn College for a 1:00 p.m. tilt.

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