Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern MaryKate Rumbaugh
WATERBURY, Conn. – Trailing by 18 points with four minutes left to play in the game, the Wilmington University women's basketball team brought it to less than three points in the final seconds, but the Post University Eagles hung on to take the win, 78-73, in a cross-divisional Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup at the Drubner Center Saturday afternoon.
Despite the Wildcats (3-14, 3-6 CACC) shooting 49.2 percent from the floor to the Eagles (8-10, 4-6 CACC) 40 percent, Post went 14-18 from the free throw line in the contest.
With a close game to start, Wilmington was able to take a 14-10 lead with 4:28 to play in the first quarter, but the Wildcats were only able to score one more basket as the Eagles tied the game up 16 apiece to head into the second quarter.
Starting the second quarter, Jadyn Whitsitt was able to bring the game within one with a three-pointer to make it 20-19, but the Eagles answered right back on a 8-0 run with a made layup and two back-to-back threes to take a 26-19 lead. Post then jumped out to an 11-point lead with 3:47 to play in the half with a score of 32-21. The Eagles would maintain the 10-point lead, until hitting a three-pointer to end the half 41-28. The Eagles scored 25 points to the Wildcats 12 in the quarter.
Emily Ansah got the and-one in the paint to secure the three-point play to bring the game within eight of the Eagles' 46-38 lead with 6:35 to play in the third quarter. That's how close Wilmington would bring it in the third quarter, despite scoring 20 points ending the quarter down, 56-48.
Neither team would score until 7:02 to play in the fourth quarter as Post knocked down a three pointer to start an 11-2 run in their favor. The Eagles' largest lead of the game came with 4:32 to play in regulation as the Eagles took an 18-point lead of 68-50, but the Wildcats did not shy away. Macy Robinson was able to start a Wildcats 11-0 run with a trey ball followed by back-to-back layups from Ansah to bring the game within nine as Interim Head Coach Jamie Hensley called a timeout.
Kiara Eubanks would net two free throws and get a layup to bring the Wildcats within six with 1:52 left to play. Having to put the Eagles to the line, Post would regain a 10-point lead with under a minute to play, but the Wildcats were able to score three layups to bring the contest to 74-68 with 17 seconds to go. Eubanks would bring it to within five with 11 seconds to play, before putting the Eagles back to the line, to only make one.
Jadyn Whitsitt was able to get a three off with four seconds left to bring the game within three of the 76-73 Eagles lead, but Post would go to the line and knock down two more free throws and take the game from the Wildcats, 78-73.
Freshman Kiara Eubanks had a team-high for the Wildcats scoring a career-high 21 points after going 10-13 from the floor. Jadyn Whitsitt poured in 15 points, going 6-10 from the floor and 3-4 from behind the arc. Macy Robinson netted three three-pointers in the game for 13 points, as Emily Ansah chipped in with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Wildcats' next game is Wednesday night when they travel to nationally ranked No. 4 Jefferson for a 6:00 p.m. start time.