NEWARK, Del. - - A second half rally fell short for the Wilmington University men's basketball team, as Holy Family held off the Wildcats, 75-66, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division action on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Tigers (6-4, 1-1 CACC) picked up their first CACC victory of the early season by shooting 19-of-32 (59.4 percent) from the floor in the first half, holding a 13 point lead at the halftime break. The Wildcats (4-8, 1-3 CACC) won the second half, 33-29, but it wasn't enough to erase the halftime deficit.
Down by as many as 19 in the first half, the comeback really started with less than three minutes remaining in the opening half, getting the halftime deficit to 13 at 46-33.
After the Tigers had the lead as large as 17 points in the second half, the Wildcats closed to within five points following a pair of technical free throws by Herb Dennis with 1:26 remaining in regulation. But that would be as close as the home team would be able to get, as the Tigers hit their free-throws and kept the Wildcats off the board until the final second, settling on a nine point victory.
Shaq Monroe-Gaskins was deadly from deep, hitting four three-points on nine attempts, finishing with 17 points on the afternoon. The Wildcats were led by junior Valentino Thompson who collected 18 points after going a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor, including two three-pointers, in the first half.
Sophomore Shai Henry picked up his first career double-double in the loss, grabbing a game high 14 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass, while adding 11 points. Dennis was the final Wildcat in double figures, scoring 10 points while hitting 5-of-7 free throws and adding a team high five assists.
The Wildcats held the Tigers to 30.8 percent shooting in the second half, but the Tigers went to the line 19 times, making 13 to complete the victory. For the game, the Tigers outshot the Wildcats, 46.6 percent to 36.1 percent. Wilmington made eight three-pointers in the contest, but only went 14-of-23 from the foul line.
Wilmington remains in action with another CACC South Division foe this week, heading to Lakewood, N.J. to play first year program Georgian Court on Wednesday. It is the first meeting between the two programs as Georgian Court added men's programs to the athletic department starting this season. The game is the nightcap to the CACC doubleheader, with the women starting at 6 p.m. and the men scheduled to play at 8 p.m.
