Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern Mary Kate Rumbaugh
WILMINGTON, Del. – Looking to get their first win of the season in their final game of the of 2019 season, the Wilmington University women's basketball team fell just short to cross-town rival Goldey-Beacom, 70-69, on Saturday afternoon in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup at Joseph West Jones Center.
Wilmington (0-10, 0-3 CACC) had a chance in the final seconds of the contest, trailing by one point, but could not connect, as Goldey-Beacom (1-9, 1-2 CACC) secured its own first victory of the year.
The Wildcats started out strong in the first quarter, getting out to a 6-2 lead thanks to Kasha Andrews and Kiara Eubanks to force the Lightning into a 30-second timeout with 7:11 left in the quarter. Goldey-Beacom would go on a 7-2 run within one minute, until WilmU answered with four straight points to retake a one-point lead heading into the second quarter.
The Lightning would start the second quarter on a 12-2 run, jumping out to a 27-18 lead in the first three minutes of play, before the Wildcats went on a 12-6 run of their own to decrease the deficit to two with under four minutes to play until the half. In her first game back since the 2017 season, LaShyra Williams would tie the game up on a jumper to make it 32-32, before Goldey-Beacom retook a 38-34 lead with 34 seconds left. The Wildcats would score four quick points though, within 21 seconds to make it an even score at the half, 38-38.
The Lightning would control the third quarter, maintaining the lead, but Wilmington stuck around to make it a two point lead with 15 seconds left thanks to Jadyn Whitsitt heading into the final quarter.
Goldey-Beacom would stretch their lead to nine, opening the quarter on an 8-1 run to lead 65-56 with 4:54 to play in regulation. Kiara Eubanks would keep the Wildcats still in it to start a 9-3 run to make it a 68-65 game, to force the Lighting into a timeout with 1:41 to play. The Lightning would get a quick two out of the timeout, before Eubanks got an offensive rebound to make it three-point game again. The Wildcats would hold the Lighting to a missed three-pointer for Eubanks to connect on a jumper with 42 seconds to play, making it a 70-69 game in the next possession of play.
The Wildcats would have two opportunities in the final four seconds, including two foul shots, before taking a 30-second timeout after an offensive rebound. With two seconds left, the Wildcats would get off a shot, but could not find the back of the net, as the Lighting would come out on top, 70-69.
Sophomore guard Kiara Eubanks led the Wildcats with a new career-high 23 points, going 10-15 from the floor with five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Kasha Andrews added 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, as Jadyn Whitsitt chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds.
The Wildcats are off for the holiday, before returning to the court in the New Year on Thursday, January 2 when New York Tech comes to the Complex. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.