Press Release written by Sports Information Graduate Intern Mary Kate Rumbaugh
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Wilmington University women's basketball team would control the lead since the end of the first quarter until eight minutes left in the fourth, but Jefferson pulled away with the come from behind win, 85-76, in the first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game of the season at Gallagher Center Tuesday night.
The Wildcats (0-7, 0-1 CACC) got out to a hot start in the first conference game of the season, as they scored 24 points in the first quarter to lead the Rams (4-4, 1-0 CACC) by two heading into the second quarter. Kasha Andrews would sink two free throws with 8:18 to play in the second quarter to put WilmU up, 26-22, but Jefferson would hang right with the Wildcats, pulling to within one with 3:18 to go until the half.
Wilmington would go on a 6-4 run, as Jadyn Whitsitt hit a free throw to give WilmU a 44-40 lead into halftime. WilmU would shoot 80 percent from the floor in the second quarter, to shoot 56.3 percent for the first half.
The Wildcats would open the second half on a 7-2 run thanks to buckets from Mikala Casimir, Jadyn Whitsitt, and Tiffany Jackson to take their largest lead of the night at nine over the Rams. Jefferson would go on a 10-6 run to bring the lead to 61-59, but Wilmington would sustain the lead, scoring four more points to take a 65-61 lead into the final quarter.
Looking to keep their lead throughout the final quarter, the Wildcats started to let up as the Rams went on a 12-1 lead to retake their first lead since the first quarter, 73-66, with 4:56 left in regulation. WilmU would bring the deficit to within six, making it 76-70 before calling a timeout. Having to foul to stop the clock, Jefferson would go to line 12 times within the final 1:17, making nine to go on and seal the comeback, 85-76.
Tiffany Jackson had a team-high 16 points, going 7-10 from the floor to go along with five rebounds. Kasha Andrews, Emily Ansah, and Kiara Eubanks all finished with 14 points each. Ansah would secure the double-double with 11 rebounds, as Eubanks dished out six assists. Jadyn Whitsitt added 10 points.
Wilmington scored 34 bench points, compared to Jefferson's six, while also outshooting the Rams from the floor (44.8%) and three point line (26.3%).
The Wildcats are back home on Saturday afternoon when Holy Family comes to the Complex for a 1:00 p.m. start time.