Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern MaryKate Rumbaugh
NEWARK, Del. – Trying to come back from a loss the night before, the Wilmington University women's basketball team fell to the University of the District of Columbia, 81-59, in the second day of the Tip-Off Classic on Saturday held at the WU Athletics Complex.
Wilmington (0-2) had trouble beating the press, as UDC (1-1) was able to force 27 turnovers and convert 25 points off the Wildcats mistakes. The Firebirds had 50 points in the paint, collecting 25 offensive rebounds to WilmU's 14.
Macy Robinson got the Wildcats on the board with a 3-pointer to tie the game up on the second possession. It was back-and-forth action before Robinson could get another three to put the Wildcats up, 11-8, but the Firebirds would score eight points to take a 16-12 lead. Wilmington would not score for 4:16, but was able to tie the game at 16-16, and finish the first quarter with a layup by Nyree Grant, to head in the second quarter with an 18-16 lead.
Jadyn Whitsitt was able to get freshman Jaelyn Durrett's rebound and dish it out to Robinson for the trey to take a 21-18 lead just 2:29 into the second quarter. The Wildcats would jump out to a 27-23 lead, but UDC was able to keep Wilmington from scoring for two minutes, and take a 28-27 lead. The Firebirds were able to get two consecutive offensive rebounds and score to take a 37-32 lead with 1:26 left to go in the first half. WilmU had two more opportunities, but could not convert, as they would go into halftime down five.
The Wildcats were able to come within six points after UDC made two layups for a 41-35 lead to start the second half, but Wilmington could not hang on, as the Firebirds crashed the offensive boards for second chance opportunities to take a 46-36 lead. The Wildcats got outscored, 26-13, in the third quarter, as UDC increased their lead 63-45 to lead into the fourth quarter.
Kiara Eubanks' two made free throws would give WilmU their first points of the fourth quarter after 4:09 minutes in. WilmU was able to secure 14 more points, but could not find a way back from the Firebirds third quarter run.
Macy Robinson led the Wildcats with 23 points, going 5-9 from behind the three-point line. Freshman guard Jaelyn Durrett went 5-10 from the line and 4-9 from the floor for a total of 14 points. Nyree Grant added 10 points, with Jadyn Whitsitt dishing out six assists for the Wildcats.
In the first game of the day, Stonehill defeated Holy Family, 63-44, as Kayla Raymond led the Skyhawks with 22 points.
The Wildcats' next game will be this Wednesday, as they head to Bowie State for their first road game of the season. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.
