WILMINGTON, Del. - - A last-second layup sent the game to overtime but the Wilmington University men's basketball team held on to defeat Goldey-Beacom, 99-91, on Saturday at the Joseph West Jones Center to lock in as the No. 3 Seed from the South Division in the upcoming Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament.
With the win, the Wildcats, (16-12, 9-7 CACC) will be the South Division's No. 3 seed and travel to the North Division's No. 2 seed Post University in the First Round on Tuesday night in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Goldey-Beacom started the game with a three-pointer, but that would end up matching for their largest lead of the game, as the Wildcats had control for the majority of the contest. Amiri Stewart hit a three-pointer and then Caleb Matthews hit all three from the foul line to make it a 13-6 lead early in the game. Goldey-Beacom eventually tied the game, 21-21, but the Wildcats went right back in front.
Taalin Holloman hit a pair from the foul line for his seventh and eighth points of the game to make it 26-23 with 9:26 to play in the half while also reaching the 1,000-point milestone for his collegiate career.
The teams continued to trade points throughout the first half, with the Lightning briefly taking a 33-31 lead. The Wildcats went ahead 40-34 before the Lightning came back to tie it at the break, 41-41.
The second half was more of the same between the two programs, with the game staying within five points throughout. The Wildcats led 50-45, but then the Lightning led 51-50. Brycen Williams hit a three-pointer to give the Wildcats a 61-56 lead but then the Lightning came back to tie the game, 65-65.
The Lightning put in a layup to get within 75-74 with 2:02 to play before Amiri Stewart answered right back with a layup, 77-74. Skip Burton made two from the line to make it 79-84, with 1:18 to play nut the Lightning got a quick layup, then two from the line to get back within one. Caleb Matthews hit two from the line with six seconds left to make it 83-80, but then the Lightning scored quickly and got a turnover on the out of bounds play. They converted the turnover into a layup at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.
The last second letdown didn't bother the Wildcats however, as they took it right to the Lightning in the overtime period. The Wildcats scored the first five points of the extra period and then a massive Taalib Holloman dunk made it 92-85 with 1:21 on the clock. Holloman and Stewart were able to hit free throws down the stretch and then Holloman put a stamp on the crosstown rivalry with one final slam, 99-91.
Amiri Stewart led the Wildcats with 27 points, shooting 10-of-18 from the floor and 5-of-6 from the foul line. Taalib Holloman finished with 22 points while Caleb Matthews scored 11 points. Skip Burton scored seven points with nine rebounds, 6 assists, and three steals. Nalik Veasley finished with 13 rebounds and three blocks.
The CACC Tournament will begin on Tuesday with the Wildcats heading to Post. The tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Waterbury, Connecticut.