Press Release Written By Sports Information Graduate Intern Mary Kate Rumbaugh
COLCHESTER, VT. – A slow fourth quarter for the Wilmington University women's basketball team led to a 78-69 loss to Saint Rose in the final game of the Delta Hotel NE10/CACC Conference Challenge on Saturday afternoon at Ross Sports Center.
It was a close game throughout the first three quarters, but only 12 points in the fourth quarter would hurt the Wildcats (0-2), as Saint Rose (2-0) dropped 20 for the nine-point win.
It was back-and-forth action for both teams beginning in the first quarter, as Mikala Casimir gave the Wildcats a 13-7 lead, before the Golden Knights went on a 9-0 run to retake the lead, 16-13, with a minute left. Sabreen Muslim would put Wilmington down on after sinking back-to-back free throws, before an Emily Ansah layup gave the Wildcats a 17-16 lead into the second quarter.
There would be four lead changes throughout the second quarter, until WIlmU got a three-pointer from Jadyn Whitsitt to retake the lead for the remainder of the half, going on a 7-5 run to head into the break leading, 36-35.
Kasha Andrews put the Wildcats up by five after a three from behind the arc in the opening minutes of the second half, but Saint Rose would stick around taking back the lead by a point with 5:32 to play. Wilmington would have a two-point lead with 1:27 left, but the Golden Knights would answer with three-straight points to take a 58-57 lead into the final quarter.
Saint Rose would hit back-to-back three pointers to take a 66-59 lead in the opening minutes, forcing the Wildcats into a timeout, before answering with two more jump shots to extend their biggest lead of the game at 11. Wilmington would bring the Golden Knights' lead to within six with 1:06 left in regulation, but would knock down their free throws to secure the 78-69 win.
Jadyn Whitsitt would score another team-high for the Wildcats with 21 points and five rebounds. Tiffany Jackson recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Kasha Andrews, Sabreen Muslim, and Mikala Casimir all added eight points.
The Wildcats will have their home opener at the Complex this coming Thursday when West Chester comes to Newark. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.