PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - A 26-7 run spanning the two halves helped carry Holy Family to a 77-69 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over the Wilmington University men's basketball team on Wednesday night inside the Campus Center.
The run gave the Tigers (7-13, 4-7 CACC) their largest lead of the game, 56-37, midway through the second half. Despite a late game comeback that saw the Wildcats (6-14, 4-7 CACC) get to within single digits with 5:23 left and as close as eight points late, but it was too as the Tigers took the CACC battle.
Down by as many as eight points in the first half, the Wildcats mounted a comeback. A 9-2 spurt was started by an Alvin West three-pointer, and then Danny Walsh hit another three to get to within a single point, 25-24, with 7:05 left in the half. The Tigers scored, but then Jermaine Head came down and hit a three-pointer of his own to tie the game, 27-27.
The Tigers regained the lead with a layup, nut then Danny Walsh hit another three-pointer to give the Wildcats their first lead since 2-0, 30-29, with 3:19 before the half. But the Tigers hit three consecutive three-pointers to end the half, taking a 38-30 lead into the locker room.
The Tigers scored the first two points of the second half before Jordan Harding hit a three-pointer to cut it to a 40-33 deficit. But another 7-0 run pushed the Tigers' lead out to 47-33 before three straight layups gave the home team its largest lead of the night, 56-37, with 12:50 left.
The Wildcats answered with six straight points of their own, but the Wildcats were still down 18 with 9:04 to play. A Danny Walsh layup started a 9-0 run, as Taalib Holloman hit a three-pointer and Alvin West capped it with a layup to bring the Wildcats to within 63-54 with 5:23 showing on the clock.
But Holy Family was able to keep the Wildcats at bay, as they didn't get back to within single digits again until Jermaine Head converted a steal and layup, 71-63, with 1:13 left in regulation. A Jordan Harding and-one brought the Wildcats to within seven, 73-66, with 50 seconds left, and then Head hit a pair of free throws five second later to get the game to within 73-68.
The teams traded single free throws to keep the game at five points, 74-69, with 33 seconds left, but then the Tigers hit both their free throws and the Wildcats missed their shot at the other end. The Wildcats missed two more shots down the stretch, ending in the 77-69 result.
With his three steals tonight, Jermaine Head surpasses Tyaire Ponzo-Meek on the program's all-time list, now with 176 career steals. He also led the Wildcats with 21 points, adding nine rebounds, and a team high four assists.
Danny Walsh scored 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, adding four rebounds. Jordan Harding led the team with 10 rebounds.
The Wildcats return home for their next contest, as they welcome Post to the WU Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.