Fast Start Gives LIU Post 74-57 Nonconference Victory over Wilmington Women’s Basketball

Fast Start Gives LIU Post 74-57 Nonconference Victory over Wilmington Women’s Basketball

Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of the Wildcats last season taken by Frank Stallworth.

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - - LIU Post jumped out to a fast start in defeating the Wilmington University women's basketball team, 74-57, in nonconference action on Wednesday night at the Pratt Recreation Center.

The Pioneers (1-2) started off hot in the first quarter, racing out to a 24-16 lead after 10 minutes of play. The home team shot 52.9 percent in the first quarter, hitting on 9-of-17 from the floor, and got to the foul line on six occasions, going 5-of-6.

The Wildcats (0-3) used a LaShyra Williams three-pointer to get within 8-6, but a 7-0 spurt put the Pioneers ahead, 15-6. The Wildcats used a 5-1 spurt to end the quarter, closing the margin to eight at 24-16.

Macy Robinson cut the deficit to 26-22 with 7:42 left in the half, but the Pioneers responded with an 11-0 run of their own to regain momentum and move the lead back out to 37-22.

LIU Post capitalized off 22 Wilmington turnovers, turning them into 27 points at the other end. Conversely, the Wildcats forced LIU Post into 23 turnovers, but could only turn them into 11 points at the other end of the court. The Wildcats were effective when they got out on the run, outscoring the Pioneers, 11-5, in fastbreak points.

Williams led the Wildcats with 17 points, hitting all seven of her free throws while shooting 4-of-13 from the floor. She also finished with a team high four steals and four rebounds. Jasmine Lee came off the bench to score 12 points in 15 minutes, shooting 5-of-11 from the floor.

As a team, the Wildcats shot 29.5 percent from the floor and 4-of-13 from three-point territory. The Wildcats were out-rebounded 56-30, leading to a 30-18 disadvantage on points in the paint for the contest.

The Wildcats return to action on Thursday night when they play in the WU Athletics Complex for the first time in 2016-17. The Wildcats welcome Puerto Rico-Bayamon to Newark for a first0time meeting between the two programs. Tip-off against the Cowboys is slated for 6:00 p.m.