Women’s Basketball Hangs With North Division Leaders But Dominican Pulls Away Late, 74-68

Copyright 2019; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Emily Ansah who posted her first career double-double against Dominican. Photo by MaryKate Rumbaugh. February 2, 2019 vs. Caldwell
Copyright 2019; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Emily Ansah who posted her first career double-double against Dominican. Photo by MaryKate Rumbaugh. February 2, 2019 vs. Caldwell

NEWARK, Del. - - Down by as many as 18 points in the first half, the Wilmington University women's basketball team battled back to tie the game in the fourth, but couldn't overtake Dominican, falling 74-68, to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference North Division leaders on Thursday night at the WU Athletics Complex.

Dominican (10-11, 8-4 CACC) keeps pace with Felician atop the CACC North Division while the Wildcats (4-16, 4-8 CACC) remain in a three-way tie for fifth place in the South Division.

After a slow start to the game, Macy Robinson put in a layup to bring the Wildcats to within 29-18, late in the second quarter. But the Chargers went on a 7-0 run to take their largest lead of the game, 36-18, with 2:22 to play before the half. The Wildcats answered with their own 7-0 run to close out the quarter, heading into the halftime break trailing 36-25.

The run continued for the Wildcats to start the third quarter, breaking out a 13-0 sprint, getting an old-fashioned three-point play by Emily Ansah, and a three-pointer to tie the game, at 36 by Macy Robinson. Jaelyn Durrett capped the 13-0 run with a layup, giving the home team a 38-36 lead with 6:03 to play in the quarter. The Wildcats again led, 40-38, and had a tie game, 44-44, before Dominican scored five straight to regain momentum. Robinson hit a free throw at the end of the quarter to head into the final frame down, 54-50.

Jadyn Whitsitt tied the game with a three-pointer, 57-57, with 6:53 left in regulation, and Kiara Eubanks tied it once again, 59-59, moments later. But Dominican always had an answer, hitting a three-pointer at the other end and never allowing the Wildcats to tie the game again. Kiara Eubanks made two from the foul line to get within three points with 1:27 left, but the Chargers' Naabea Assibey-Bonsu hit a clutch bucket at the other end to give the visitors a five-point lead and the win.

The Wildcats own the rebounding battle, 45-38, and points in the paint, 36-20, but the Chargers hit on 9-of-21 (42.9%) from beyond the three-point arc, compared to the Wildcats' 4-for-19 (21.1%).

The Wildcats had four in double figures, including two double-doubles on the night. Emily Ansah led the team with a game-high 13 rebounds off the bench, adding 11 points for her first career double-double. Macy Robinson scored 12 points while adding 11 rebounds for her second consecutive and third double-double overall.

Kiara Eubanks led the Wildcats with 19 points while Jadyn Whitsitt added 12 points, and five rebounds. Nyree Grant led the team with four assists, adding seven points and six rebounds.

The Wildcats continue CACC play on Saturday when they travel to Felician for another CACC North Division crossover contest. The Wildcats and Golden Falcons will tip-off at 1:00 p.m.