WILMINGTON, Del. - - Vying for its first playoff appearance since the 2009-10 season, the Wilmington University women's basketball team had its heart ripped out as Goldey-Beacom stormed back to steal a 73-69 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory in the season finale.
It was an elimination game for both squads, as the winner earned the fourth and final playoff spot for the South Division in upcoming CACC Tournament. The Wildcats (8-19, 8-11 CACC) had a chance to end the playoff drought, up eight points with 6:12 left in regulation, but the Lightning (13-15, 9-10 CACC) stormed back to steal the game on their home court.
A one-point game at the half, the Wildcats and Lightning remained tight throughout the third quarter. The game was tied at 52-52 with 2:22 to play and again at 54-54 moments later. Macy Robinson hit a pair of free throws and then came up with a steal and full court layup with less than five seconds left in the quarter to give the Wildcats a 58-54 lead going into the fourth frame.
Kiara Eubanks and Nyree Grant gave the Wildcats a 62-54 lead with 7:02 left on back-to-back buckets. Grant then put two in from the foul line with 6:12 left to again put the Wildcats up 64-56 in the quarter. Amanda McGrogan brought the Lightning to within 66-63 with a layup, and again to within a single point, 66-65, with another layup.
The Lightning run continued as McGrogan hit a free throw to tie the game, and put in a layup to give the home team the lead, 68-66, with 2:51 showing on the clock. The lead grew to 70-66 with under a minute to play before Kiara Eubanks ended the run with an old fashioned three-point play, 70-69, with 45 ticks left.
The game was still within a single possession with 24 seconds left as McGrogan only made one of two from the foul line, but the Wildcats couldn't secure the defensive rebound as the Lightning were able to gain another offensive rebound. Jill Latanowich hit one of two from the line and the Wildcats couldn't answer at the other end, ending the game, 73-69.
In all, the Lightning ended the fourth quarter on a 17-5 run over the final 5:47 of the fourth quarter.
Nyree Grant secured another double-double in her final collegiate career game, scoring a team high 20 points while adding a team high 15 rebounds. Kiara Eubanks went for 17 points while both Jadyn Whitsitt and Macy Robinson scored 13 points each. Whitsitt finished with eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals as well. Robinson added nine rebounds in her final game as a Wildcat.
