NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's basketball team dug itself out of an early hole but ran out of gas as Chestnut Hill stepped on the accelerator and took a 78-63 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory at the WU Athletics Complex on Tuesday night.
The loss extends the Wildcats' (5-14, 2-10 CACC) losing streak to four straight as they closed the gap to as few as six points in the second half, but ran out of steam and couldn't get over the hump. Chestnut Hill (6-12, 6-7 CACC) remains hot as the win is their fourth straight and fifth in their last six games overall.
The Griffin's Aimie Bouie, who graduated from A.I. DuPont High School and was playing in front of her home crowd, finished with her second double-double of the season, scoring a season high 15 points while adding 14 rebounds. Olivia Gorczynski led the Griffins with 17 points, hitting five three-pointers. Tenisha Townsend-Mobley added 12 points to cap the double digit scorers for the visitors.
The Wildcats' run started late in the first half, as they trimmed a 13 point deficit to six by hitting three straight buckets, but gave up an offensive rebound and a last second score to head into the locker room trailing 34-26.
Trailing by 12 points five minutes into the second half, Tenicia Spence hit a three-pointer to start a 10-4 Wilmington run. A pair of free-throws and a layup by Spence brought the Wildcats to within seven points before a three-pointer by Tiaja Harrold from the right wing brought the home team to within six points at 47-41 with 11:20 left in regulation.
But the Griffins responded with a run of their own, outscoring the Wildcats 12-2 in the next three minutes to again take control of the contest, 59-43, with 8:06 to play. The Griffins continued to push as the second half wound down, gaining their largest lead of the game at 71-49 with 3:49 showing on the clock.
Spence scored 15 of her game high 21 points in the second half, hitting three three-pointers and all six of her foul shots in the process. Junior Tashea Plummer scored eight points and grabbed a team high tying six rebounds off the bench. Jenn Carr also grabbed six rebounds for the Wildcats in the game. Freshman Jocelyn Rodriguez scored eight points off the bench, hitting all four of her free throws, while also finishing with a game high four steals.
Wilmington will look to break its four game losing streak on Saturday, as they again play at the WU Athletics Complex for another CACC contest. The Wildcats will host Concordia to start a doubleheader, tipping off at 1 p.m.
