press release written by Mitchell Coll
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Wilmington University women's basketball team fell to South Division top-seeded Chestnut Hill in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game, 69-46, at Sorgenti Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday
The Wildcats (1-19, 1-14 CACC) were able to take an early lead in the first quarter. Junior Emily Ansah started off the scoring for the 'Cats with a made jump shot at 8:52. Freshman Jade Roberts made a crucial play by grabbing an offensive rebound, allowing the Wildcats to reset on the offensive side. Freshman Daja Claiborne was able to find sophomore Layla Hunt, who connected on a jump shot, which pulled the 'Cats within one early, making it 4-5 at 4:54. Roberts gave the Wildcats their first lead off of another jump shot found by Claiborne yet again.
In the second quarter, the Wildcats were sparked by senior Sabreen Muslim off the bench. Muslim opened up the scoring by turning defense into offense. Muslim grabbed the defensive rebound and converted on the jump shot on the offensive end to make the score 10-13 a minute into the second quarter. The 'Cats were within two, with three minutes left but fell to a 10-4 run at the end of the half, making it 32-24 going into the half, favoring the Griffins.
The Wildcat's third-quarter struggles were the difference-maker in the contest. Freshman Amaja Mack hit the lone field goal of the quarter with a jump shot assisted by Ansah with 17 seconds left in the quarter. But the Griffins were able to pull away in the frame, winning the quarter, 16-3, to take a 21-point lead into the fourth.
To their credit the Wildcats bounced back in the fourth, connecting on eight field goals and scoring their most out of any quarter for the game. Experienced guards, Ansah and Muslim lead the way in the fourth quarter. Muslim had 10 points and 5 rebounds in the fourth, while Ansah added 7 points and 3 rebounds.
Sabreen Muslim picks up her seventh double-double on the season, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Emily Ansah finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Jade Roberts finished with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
The Wildcats travel 15 minutes down the road in their season finale against Goldey-Beacom College on Saturday, February 26th, tip-off set for 1:00 PM.