RINDGE, N.H. – A late second quarter run would help Franklin Pierce take the lead into the break, before maintaining it throughout the second half to take a 73-56 win over the Wilmington University women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon at The Fieldhouse in a nonconference matchup.
The Wildcats (0-4) started off strong in the first quarter, taking an 11-8 lead over the Ravens (3-1) thanks to a layup from Sabreen Muslim, before Emily Ansah and Jadyn Whitsitt gave the Wildcats a 16-12 lead on a layup and foul shot with 1:09 to play. WilmU would have a two-point lead heading into the second quarter.
The Ravens would start the second quarter on a 6-2 run to regain the lead, 20-18, but it would continue to be a close game, as Jadyn Whitsitt tied things up on a free throw with 3:23 left until halftime. With 1:33 left until the break, Franklin Pierce would take the go-ahead bucket, before ending on a 7-1 run to take a 39-31 lead into halftime.
Franklin Peirce would take their momentum from the end of the first half, to open up the second half on a 6-0 run, forcing the Wildcats into a timeout as the Ravens had a 45-33 lead. The Ravens stayed in control of the quarter, but Sabreen Muslim would put the Wildcats down nine, entering the fourth.
The Wildcats would only score one point within the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, as Franklin Pierce extended their lead scoring eight more points, to lead 62-46 and force Wilmington into another timeout. The Ravens would extend the lead to as large as 23, but the Wildcats would reduce it to only 17, falling 73-56.
The Ravens would pull down 20 offensive rebounds in the game, while collecting 31 points off of WilmU's 26 turnovers.
Sabreen Muslim would lead the Wildcats with 14 points and six rebounds, going 5-10 from the floor. Jadyn Whitsitt would add 10 points and four rebounds, while Mikala Casimir chipped in with eight points. Kiara Eubanks grabbed seven rebounds, while Emily Ansah pulled down six boards.
Wilmington is back on the court Wednesday when they travel to Mercy College in another nonconference matchup. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m.