Copyright 2015; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Zameria Jones by Frank Stallworth. 

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The University of the Sciences shot its way past the Wilmington University women's basketball team, 74-56, in the Wildcats' Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener on Wednesday night inside Bobby Morgan Arena.

The Wildcats (4-3, 0-1 CACC) used 12 different scorers in the game but shot only 22-for-71 (31%) from the floor, including just 4-of-16 from beyond the three-point arc. The Devils (2-5, 2-1 CACC) was able to shoot 26-for-55 (47.3%) from the floor while adding 20-of-24 from the foul line.

The visitors made a run at the Devils starting at the end of the first quarter, which eventually led to the Wildcats', only lead in the second quarter. Trailing 19-10 with 1:44 left in the first quarter, the Wildcats went on a 5-0 run to end the frame, breathing life into the huddle at the break. Ebonee Dixon started the run with a layup before Emma Matthews and Auryonah Nash connected on 3-of-4 from the foul line to cut the deficit to 19-15 at the end of the first.

Matthews started the second with a three-pointer before Dixon went coast to coast after securing a defensive rebound to give the Wildcats a 20-19 lead. A pair of free throws gave the Devils the lead back but a Shanique Graves jumper put the Wildcats back on top, 22-21 with 7:23 to play. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, however, that would be the last lead for the visitors in the contest.

The Devils used a 17-7 run to end the second quarter following the Wildcats' 22-21 lead, including a 9-2 spurt over the final 2:15 to extend a 29-26 lead into a 38-29 halftime advantage.

Lindsay Bradford started the second half with a layup to cut the Wildcats' deficit to 38-31. The Wildcats then went cold from the floor as the Devils rattled off an 8-0 lead to move ahead 46-31 with 6:22 left in the third. The Devils scored the final four points of the third quarter to lead 57-43.

USciences held off the Wildcats in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wildcats, 17-13, in the final stanza alone, finishing the game, 74-56.

Of the 12 scorers, Zameria Jones and Dixon led the Wildcats with eight points each off the bench. The Wildcats' bench outscored the Devils, 35-17, for the game.

Bradford scored seven points and added four rebounds and two blocked shots while Graves added six points and seven rebounds off the bench. Of the team's 38 rebounds, 19 were on the offensive glass but only resulting in seven second chance points.

The Wildcats will look to snap their two-game losing streak on Saturday as they remain on the road and in CACC play. The team heads to CACC South Division foe Georgian Court on Saturday, opening a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. at the Wellness Center.