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Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern MaryKate Rumbaugh
NEWARK, Del. – For the first time since they met for the 2004 season, the Wilmington University men's basketball team defeated West Chester University, 68-64, in a nonconference matchup Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (2-3) controlled the tempo against the Rams (2-3) for most of the game. Despite getting out-rebounded 39-34, WilmU shot 46 percent from the floor to West Chester's 39 percent.
After a Tyler Norwood three, the Wildcats made it a 5-3 game over the Rams just 2:53 into the game to start Wilmington's lead over the Rams for the majority of the first half. West Chester was able to tie the Wildcats lead at 13 a piece on a made jump shot with 11:40 left in the half, before a layup from Dawson Grinnage gave the Wildcats back the two point lead. Wilmington was able to keep the Rams from scoring for 2:37 to hold their lead at 21-19. With two minutes left to play in the first half, the Wildcats had a four-point advantage, but the Rams were able to knock down a three and a layup with a minute left to take the 28-27 lead into halftime.
Jermaine Head was able to knock down a three with the first shot in the second half to put the Wildcats back on top, 30-28, just 54 seconds in. With a 38-34 lead, the Rams were able to go on an 8-0 run to take just their second lead of the game, 41-38, with 14:52 left in the second half. For 3:31, West Chester could not find a way to score, letting the Wildcats re-take the lead, 46-41.
WilmU was able to keep the Rams from scoring for another 3:38 to increase their lead to 52-45, before a Danny Walsh three gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the game, 55-45, with 7:35 left to play. West Chester would get within four with 2:41 left to play, but another Danny Walsh three would give Wilmington a little comfort room for a 63-56 lead with 1:27 left in regulation. With West Chester having to foul, Denzil Haynes would go to the line and give WilmU two more points for a 66-59 lead. The Wildcats were then able to force a turnover with 17 seconds left and secure two more made free throws from Dawson Grinnage to make it a 68-59 game. The Rams would knock down a three and a layup, but the Wildcats were able to hold on to take the win, 68-64.
Jermaine Head had a game-high 27 points, going 10-19 from the floor, with six steals and six rebounds. Tyler Norwood recorded 15 points, shooting 3-4 from behind the arc, with Danny Walsh adding 12 points, going 5-10 from the floor.
Denzil Haynes grabbed nine rebounds, as Dawson Grinnage added seven points for the Wildcats, while playing most of the game in foul trouble.
The Rams were 6-30 from behind the arc, shooting just 20 percent, with the Wildcats shooting 45 percent from deep, going 9-20.
The Wildcats will face-off with another PSAC contender, Millersville on Tuesday in a nonconference matchup at the WU Athletics Complex. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
