Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern Mary Kate Rumbaugh
NEWARK, Del. – A strong defensive stance from the Wilmington University women's basketball team would help lead them to a 60-50 win over Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference cross-division foe Concordia Saturday afternoon at the Complex.
The Wildcats (5-19, 5-11 CACC) finished strong in the final quarter, as Concordia (5-19, 4-11 CACC) tried to shorten the lead, but WilmU was able to hold the Clippers' shooting to just 6-25 from the floor, including 1-8 from behind the arc to close out the contest.
Sabreen Muslim would get the Wildcats on the board first, scoring the first four points for WilmU, before LaShyra Williams made it 6-2 game just 7:28 into the contest. The Clippers would have their best quarter from the floor in the first, shooting 33.3 percent to keep it a two-point game heading into the second quarter.
Wilmington would open the second quarter with six points, holding Concordia to just one point until the 6:34 mark of the quarter to make it a 21-17 contest. The Wildcats would hold as large as a six-point lead in the quarter, after Emily Ansah had a block on the defensive end, which resulted in a layup for the forward on the other end to put WilmU up, 23-17. Wilmington would head into halftime with a three-point lead after the Clippers knocked down a last second shot to make it 27-24.
The Wildcats were slow to start the new half, as the Clippers went on a 9-2 run to take a 33-29 lead just 7:41 into the quarter, forcing WilmU into a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Wildcats would gain their momentum back, going on a 7-0 run to retake the lead, 36-33. Despite the slow start, Wilmington would end the quarter on a 9-0 run with 2:18 to go, and bring their lead back to nine heading into the fourth. The Wildcats had their best quarter in the third from the floor, shooting 72.7 percent, while going 3-5 from the foul line.
Sabreen Muslim would net the first four points for the Wildcats, before Jadyn Whitsitt knocked down back-to-back free throws to give WilmU their largest lead of the game at 12 with 6:46 to play in regulation. The Clippers would not shy away though, getting within seven after a few Wildcat turnovers with 1:43 to play, but Whitsitt and Kasha Andrews would knock down the free throws at the end to seal the contest by 10.
Wilmington held the Clippers shooting to just 26.9 percent from the floor in the contest, while out rebounding their opponent, 58-42.
Sabreen Muslim would lead the Wildcats with 14 points and 14 rebounds securing her fourth double-double, as Kiara Eubanks finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Emily Ansah notched her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds, as LaShyra Williams tied her season-high with 13 rebounds.
The Wildcats have a bye this midweek, before they are back in action next Saturday at USciences. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. on February 22.