Press Release written by Mitchell Coll
NEWARK, Del. - - Caldwell's hot second half proved to be the difference-maker in the cross-divisional Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon, ending in a victory over the Wilmington University women's basketball team, 71-56, at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (1-14, 1-9 CACC) started strong against the Cougars (11-9, 6-4 CACC) in the first period, taking a lead of 12-9 lead into the second quarter. Freshman Jade Roberts started the scoring with a layup before Daja Claiborne blocked a driving layup attempt, which would eventually lead to a change of procession in favor of the Wildcats.
Senior Sabreen Muslim filled up the stat sheet in the first half with a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards. She started her double-double campaign with an offensive rebound and a tip-in layup made at 4:16 in the first. Freshman Skylar Parris gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game with a jump shot on a find from Muslim at 3:27 to make the score 6-5.
The defensive energy continued for Claiborne as she registered a steal, which led to a made jump shot. Muslim wanted to continue the action on the offensive side as well with a made jumper from the elbow and the next offensive procession, Muslim grabbed another offensive board and earned her way to the line, sinking both free-throws.
The second quarter saw the first baskets of the game for junior Emily Ansah and freshman Amaja Mack. Ansah grabbed an offensive board and put it right back up for two, for the first basket of the second quarter at 9:32. Mack connected on the only three-pointer made for the Wildcats at 4:12, on a find from Claiborne, which pushed the lead to 10 points. The Cougars closed out the first half on a 10-2 run, but the 'Cats were able to go into the locker room with a narrow 27-26 lead.
Caldwell took the lead with their first made bucket of the third quarter and never looked back. They outscored the Wildcats, 23-13, in the quarter, taking their largest lead with a bucket at the buzzer, 49-40.
Skylar Parris cut the deficit to 55-50 with 5:38 to play, but the Cougars used a 13-4 run to take control of the fourth quarter, and the game, 68-54, with 1:34 left in regulation.
The 'Cats saw six points each from Parris and Roberts. Both went four for four from the free-throw line. As a team, the Wildcats went a perfect 13-for-13 from the foul line.
Sabreen Muslim had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and an assistant, coming off of the bench. Jade Roberts finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and two steals. Both Emily Ansah and Skylar Parris finished with 8 points.
The Wildcats head to Felician for a make-up game on Monday, February 7th at 5:30 PM. They then return home for the rest of the week for matchups against USciences on Wednesday, February 9th at 6:00 PM and against Dominican on Saturday, February 12th at 1:00 PM.
