Gannon University Athletics

Phoenix led the Gannon men's basketball team to the 34th Annual Gary Miller Classic championship last weekend with victories against NCAA Division II Atlantic Region foe West Virginia Wesleyan (78-59) and Northern Michigan (65-62). The junior forward was named Most Outstanding Player of the classic after recording 40 points and 15 rebounds in two games. He shot 64.5 percent (20-31) during the two-day classic. Phoenix hit a pair of contested go-ahead baskets during the final minute of Saturday’s championship game. Trailing 60-59, Phoenix scored on a reverse lay-up with 57 seconds left to give Gannon a 61-60 lead. After Northern Michigan regained the lead on a pair of free throws, Phoenix hit a tough left-handed jumper inside the paint with 25 seconds left to give Gannon the lead again at 63-62. He began the classic with 16 points and seven rebounds against West Virginia Wesleyan, hitting 8-of-16 shots. Phoenix then led both teams in scoring during the championship game against Northern Michigan with 24 points and eight rebounds, hitting 12-of-15 field goal attempts. He fell one point shy of his career-high scoring total during the finals. Phoenix was consistent throughout the title bout with 12 points and four rebounds during each half.