Copyright 2-16; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Ebonee Dixon against Georgian Court.
ORANGEBURG, N.Y. - - Trailing by as many as 16 points late in the third quarter, the Wilmington University women's basketball team stormed back to steal a 69-66 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference cross divisional victory over Dominican on Saturday afternoon at the Hennessy Center.
Despite leading 30-29 at the halftime break, the Wildcats (11-11, 6-7 CACC) found themselves down 59-49 after three quarters of play as the Chargers (10-11, 6-6 CACC) outscored the Wildcats, 30-19.
The late game comeback started in the final minute of the third quarter as Macy Robinson hit back-to-back three-pointer to end the quarter and trip the 16-point margin to only 59-49 after the third period.
The Wildcats extended their 6-0 run at the end of the third into an 18-0 run midway through the final stanza by scoring the first 12 points of the fourth quarter. Ebonee Dixon converted an old fashioned three-point play to bring the Wildcats to within a single bucket, 59-57, with 7:53 left in regulation. Carin Essex-Arline tied the game with a layup before Dixon gave the Wildcats their first lead since the 6:08 mark of the third quarter with another layup with 5:09 to play.
The Chargers ended the run with a three-pointer with 4:20 to play, retaking a 62-61 lead. But Tenicia Spence and Auryonah Nash hit jumpers a minute a part to gain a 65-62 advantage with 2:14 showing on the clock. The Chargers were able to cut the lead to a single point on a pair of occasions, but the Wildcats never relinquished the lead down the stretch, as Robinson and Ashri Broadwater hit single free throws to hold off the Chargers, 69-66.
The Wildcats had three starters in double figures, led by Dixon's 15 points. Broadwater scored 14 points while also grabbing a game high 15 rebounds for the double-double. Spence added 12 points while hitting a pair of three-pointers Robinson came off the bench to score 12 points while also adding 12 rebounds for another double-double for the Wildcats. Robinson also added a team high five assists.
Wilmington out-rebounded the Chargers, 51-44, while also out-shooting the hosts, 37.3 percent to 31.3 percent. Both teams hit five three-pointers in the game, but the Wildcats went 5-of-9 compared to the Chargers' 5-of-17.
With the conference win, the Wildcats remain a half-game behind Goldey-Beacom and Chestnut Hill for the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division. Goldey-Beacom and Chestnut Hill also won on Saturday to stay ahead of the Wildcats. The Wildcats still have to face both the Lightning and Griffins a second time later this year.
The Wildcats next opportunity to move up in the standings will be on Wednesday as they welcome USciences into the WU Athletics Complex. USciences is currently third in the South Division standings, a full game ahead of the Wildcats. The women start a CACC doubleheader with an opening tip set for 6:00 p.m.