CALDWELL, N.J. - - Skip Burton hit four three-pointers and scored 14 points in the second half as the Wilmington University men's basketball team held off Caldwell, 85-81, in nonconference action at the Newman Center on Tuesday night, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Despite being outshot and outrebounded by the Cougars, the Wildcats (12-10) turned 16 Caldwell (9-11) turnovers in 28 points at the other end and converted nine more free throws to go on the road and win.
The Wildcats raced out to a 6-0 lead before the Cougars roared back to take their first lead of the game, 12-11. With the game tied, 22-22, the Cougars scored five straight to take their largest lead of the game, 27-22, with 7:43 left in the first half. Nalik Veasley converted a three-point play and then Caleb Matthews hit his second three of the half to regain the lead, 28-27. Matthews third three-pointer of the half gave the Wildcats a 38-31 lead and LJ Carter beat the halftime buzzer with a drive to the bucket in the open floor to give the Wildcats a 46-37 lead at the break.
Taalib Holloman started the second half with a fastbreak dunk, and the Wildcats had their largest lead of the game, 48-37. The Cougars cut the deficit to 51-47 with 13:56 to play but then Holloman drove the baseline and threw down a dunk to keep the Wildcats in front, 55-47. The Cougars again cut into the deficit, getting it to within a three-point game, 55-52, but then Skip Burton got going.
His first three-pointer of the second half gave the Wildcats a 60-52 lead and then he hit another to make it 63-55 with 9:15 to play. Another Burton three-pointer pushed the Wildcats to an 11-point lead, 68-57, with 7:29 to play. The Cougars continued to press, getting the game to within three again, 71-68, with 3:06 to play, but then Skip Burton hit another three-pointer in the corner to stop the Caldwell run.
Amiri Stewart hit four straight from the foul line to get to 78-71, and the Wildcats led by as many as nine, 81-72, with 69 seconds to play. Five straight Cougar points had the home team within 81-77, but with only 21 seconds to play. Skip Burton and Amiri Stewart only hit one of two from the foul line while Caldwell continued to score quickly, getting as close as 83-81 with four seconds to play. But then Caleb Matthews hit both of his chances, icing the game and the score, 85-81.
Amiri Stewart scored 21 points while going 11-for-12 form the foul line. He secured a double-double with 10 rebounds while also leading the team with four assists and four steals. Skip Burton scored 15 points in all, shooting 4-for-5 from deep and 3-of-6 from the foul line. Taalib Holloman scored 14 points while Nalik Veasley scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. Caleb Matthews hit three three-pointers and ended with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
The Wildcats play another CACC North Division opponent in their next contest, traveling to Post on Saturday. The men play the second game of the CACC doubleheader inside the Drubner Center, with an opening tip scheduled for 3:00 p.m.