Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Zameria Jones.
NEWARK, Del. - - A big fourth quarter allowed the University of the Sciences to escape the Wilmington University women's basketball team, 67-56, in a crucial Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division matchup on Wednesday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (11-12, 6-8 CACC) cut the deficit to a single bucket at the end of the third quarter, but the Devils (8-15, 8-6 CACC) started the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run to gain the momentum back and separate themselves from the pack for the third spot in the South Division.
The Devils took a 31-22 lead into the halftime break and then started the third quarter on a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 16 points with 7:28 left in the quarter. Macy Robinson hit a three-pointer to spark a 9-2 Wildcats' run, as Lindsay Bradford and Jocelyn Rodriguez added four straight to bring the game to within 40-31 with 3:53 left.
After the Devils hit a free throw, the Wildcats ended the quarter on another 8-0 run, getting buckets from Rodriguez and Katara Pressley before back-to-back layups from Jasmine Lee to bring the home team to within a single basket, 41-39.
The Wildcats started the fourth quarter with possession, but Rodriguez missed a potential game-tying jumper and an Alex Thomas layup started the 11-0 run for the Devils. Megan Wolf and Laura Trisch hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Devils, as the visitors seized control of the game once again.
Zameria Jones led the Wildcats with 12 points off the bench while Robinson grabbed a team high seven boards off the bench as well. Rodriguez scored eight points while adding three steals and five rebounds in the loss.
The Wildcats take to the road for their next two games, as they head to Nyack for a CACC cross division game on Saturday. The women start a CACC doubleheader with a 1:00 p.m. tip.