Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern Mary Kate Rumbaugh
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Wilmington University women's basketball team would come within two of Chestnut Hill's controlling lead, but the Griffins would take the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division matchup, 81-70, Wednesday night at Sorgenti Arena.
The Wildcats (1-14, 1-6 CACC) found themselves down early, as Chestnut Hill (5-11, 4-3 CACC) would come out fast, opening up the contest on an 8-0 run, holding Wilmington to their first basket with 5:45 to go in the first quarter. Kiara Eubanks would put the Wildcats within three on an and-one with 4:44 to play, but the Griffins would end the quarter on an 8-3 run, making it an 18-10 game.
With 5:31 to play until the half, Emily Ansah closed the gap to within four on the break after a LaShyra Williams steal to make it a 24-20 contest. Then Ansah put the Wildcats within their closest range of Chestnut Hill's lead, making it a 25-23 ballgame with 3:37 left. With just over three minutes to play, the Wildcats would put the Griffins to the line five times, helping them knock down 8-10 of their shots to extend to a 37-28 lead at the half.
Wilmington came out of the half looking for a run, as they would outscore the Griffins 7-2 in the first five minutes of play, to make it a 39-35 game. Chestnut Hill would then go on to knock down back-to-back threes, as Wilmington found themselves down seven with 3:25 to go. Several missed opportunities from the Wildcats would help the Griffins score nine consecutive points and extend their lead out to 54-38 with 1:44 to play in the third.
Chestnut Hill would jump out to their largest lead of 20 with 9:07 to play in regulation, but despite the Wildcats going on to outscore the Griffins in the quarter, 28-22, it would not be enough.
The Wildcats finished with five players in double-figures, including junior forward Jadyn Whitsitt, who led the team with 15 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Kasha Andrews and Kiara Eubanks chipped in with 13 points apiece, as Emily Ansah added 11 points, and seven rebounds, along with LaShyra Williams, who finished with 10 points, and four rebounds.
WilmU will come back to the Complex for a cross-division matchup with the Felician Golden Falcons on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.