Wildcats Run Out of Gas in Late Game Comeback to Post, 100-89, in CACC Tournament

File photo of Caleb Matthews who scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half at Post.  Copyright 2022; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Dan Lauletta. February 15, 2022 vs. Georgian Court.
File photo of Caleb Matthews who scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half at Post. Copyright 2022; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Dan Lauletta. February 15, 2022 vs. Georgian Court.

WATERBURY, Conn. - - A furious late game comeback fell short for the Wilmington University men's basketball in the First Round of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament as the North Division's top seeded Post held on for a 100-89 victory on Tuesday night at the Drubner Center.

The loss closes the curtains on the 2021-22 season for the Wildcats, as they finished the season 11-18 overall, advancing to the CACC Tournament for the fifth straight year in which they participated.

Down by as many as 25 points in the second half, and down 21 points with 5:38 to play, the Wildcats put on a furious comeback, inching to as close as six points on two occasions before running out of gas.

The combination of a hot start on their home court for the Eagles (20-8) and poor shooting by the Wildcats (25.8 percent from the floor) in the first half resulted in the Wildcats being doubled up at the halftime break, 46-23.

The Wildcats started off strong in the second half, cutting the deficit to 14 just 3:31 into the half, but the Eagles took the punch and was able to get the game back up to 64-41 with 12:52 to play. The Eagles took their largest lead of the game with a three-pointer with 8:08 remaining, taking a 77-52 lead.

Caleb Matthews scored the next seven of the Wildcats' points, but the Wildcats were still down 21, 83-62, with 5:38 to play.

Danny Walsh sparked a run for the Wildcats with a three-pointer, followed by Caleb Matthews converting an old-fashioned three-point play. Taalib Holloman converted another old-fashioned three-point play, and then Walsh nailed another three-pointer and a 12-0 run saw the Wildcats get to within single digits, 83-74, with 4:27 to play.

Caleb Matthews hit two from the foul line and the Wildcats were down 84-77 with 3:03 to play and then a Danny Walsh three-pointer with 2:28 left had the team to 86-80, the closest they've been since the score was 18-12.

The team's traded three-point plays, with the Wildcats' conversion coming from Ethan Tarte and they were down 89-83 with 1:57 to play. But the Eagles had an answer to not allow the Wildcat to get any closer than six points. Taalib Holloman made it 91-85 with 1:12 to play but the Eagles hit four straight free throws to extend the lead back out to 10 points.

Caleb Matthews led the Wildcats with 26 points, 20 of them coming in the second half as he shot 7-of-9 from the floor, 2-of-4 from three. Randy Rickards secured a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds, extending his single season rebounds record to 245. Taalib Holloman scored 13 points while Ethan Tarte had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Danny Walsh finished his career with 19 points on Tuesday, scoring 1264 career points, fifth most in program history. He also sank 209 career three-pointers, the only Wildcat to hit 200 career three-pointers.