NEWARK, Del. - - The final minute of the 2022-23 home opener did not go in favor of the Wilmington University men's basketball team, as Shippensburg hung on for a 71-68 nonconference victory on Wednesday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
Kaleb Hedgepeth hit a three-pointer to tie the game with 1:36 left but Shippensburg (1-2) came down and scored on their next possession. Looking to tie, a tipped Wilmington (1-2) pass was intercepted and Shippensburg answered by running the shot clock down and scoring to make it a two-possession game. Jordan Jackson hit a three-pointer with six seconds left and had possession down just two. But trying to go the distance of the court with just three seconds was too tough for the Wildcats as the Raiders held on.
For the third game in a row to start the season, the Wildcats needed to come from behind early, as Shippensburg raced out to a 16-6 lead just 6:11 into the contest. Nalik Veasley cut the deficit in half with a layup from Caleb Matthews, 20-15, with 9:16 left. Still down seven, the Wildcats cut it to one with an old fashioned three-point play by Randy Rickards, a layup from Nalik Veasley, and a foul shot from Justin Thomas, 24-23.
Shippensburg raised the lead back out to seven points, 31-24, before the Wildcats closed the gap to as few four once again before the half. Amiri Stewart put in a layup from Matthews for the final bucket of the half, sending the game into the break with Raiders leading, 38-32.
The Raiders raised the lead out to 11 points, 43-32, to start the second half, before the Wildcats went on a 12-5 run, capped by a Jordan Jackson three-point play to get it to within 48-44 with 14:42 to play. But the Raiders had an answer again, taking the lead back out to nine with 12:11 showing on the clock. Kaleb Hedgepeth started a 7-0 run with a floater and then capped it with a three-pointer, getting the Wildcats to within 55-53 with 10:26 to play.
Randy Rickards finally brought the Wildcats all the way back with a baseline jumper, tying the contest, 57-57, with 6:33 left to play. Justin Thomas gave the Wildcats their first lead since the first bucket of the game, 58-57, with a free throw but the Raiders responded with a three-pointer right away to retake the lead.
Rashon Johnson gave the Raiders a 65-62 lead with a pair from the foul line with 1:49 to play, setting up the final sequence down the stretch.
Randy Rickards led the Wildcats with 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting, adding nine rebounds and six assists. Kaleb Hedgepeth scored 13 points off the bench with two three-pointers and shooting 5-of-7 overall. Jordan Jackson scored 10 points as well for the Wildcats.
Shippensburg received a double-double from Dom Sleva with 19 points and 12 rebounds, leading four Raiders in double figures.
The Wildcats are on the road for their next four contests, staying in the PSAC for their next three games. They head to Lock Haven this Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off.