NEWARK, Del. - - The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division Regular Season Champion Goldey-Beacom pulled away late to capture a 79-71 over the Wilmington University men's basketball team inside a jam packed WU Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon in the 2017-18 regular season finale.
The CACC South Division title had already been decided prior to today's game, but the Wildcats (16-12, 11-8 CACC) needed a victory over their crosstown rival and receive help from Holy Family for a chance to finish second in the South Division. Neither would happen on Saturday, and the Wildcats will settle for third place in the South and a trip back to the CACC Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.
A tightly contested first half saw both teams shoot at least 54 percent from the floor, as the Wildcats hit eight three-pointers. But the Lightning (19-9, 15-4 CACC) put in 19 buckets in the half, the last coming off a steal and layup at buzzer to take a 46-44 lead into the break.
Tied at 62 in the second half, the Wildcats' Jermaine Head hit a jumper before Miles Gillette hit a corner three-pointer for the home team to lead 67-62 with 8:08 showing on the clock. The Lightning fired back with seven straight points of their home, grabbing a 69-67 lead. Head then hit two from the foul line to tie the game at 69 with 4:55 to play in regulation.
But that would be the final tie of the game, as the Lightning would take over late.
Corey Taite hit a three-pointer for the final lead change of the night, before he hit one from the foul line for a four-point lead. Troy Stancil hit another three-pointer for the visitors, pushing the lead to 76-71 with 3:17 to play. The Lightning then went 3-of-4 from the foul line the rest of the way, as the Wildcats missed their final six shots of the game, five of which came from beyond the three-point arc.
Head led the Wildcats with a game-high 23 points, hitting three three-pointers to go with seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Gillette picked up his 11th double-double of the year with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Richards was the final Wildcat in double figures with 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
As the third seed in the South Division, the Wildcats will head to the North Division's second seed Dominican. The Wildcats dropped a 72-63 decision at Dominican on February 10, but Dominican was where the Wildcats started their run to the CACC Tournament Championship in the 2014-15 season.
The CACC Tournament Quarterfinals are set for Tuesday evening with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.
