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Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll
NEWARK, Del. - - All five of the Wilmington University women's basketball starters scored in double-digits to help earn its first victory of the 2022-23 season over Cheyney University, 62-42, on Friday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wolves (1-5) opened the game on a 10-6 run halfway through the first period. Amber Washington connected on the Wildcats' first three-pointer of the game with 3:25 left to play. Trinity Brittingham assisted Washington as the Wildcats trailed by only one point.
The Wildcats tied the game at 13 a piece with a little over a minute left from a Fatou Ndao jump shot. Ndao scored on the next possession to put the Wildcats up 15-13; Amber Washington made both assists. The Wildcats outscored the Wolves 15-13 at the end of one quarter.
Amber Washington regained the lead for the Wildcats after the Wolves tied the game briefly in the second quarter, as Washington connected on both free throws. The Wildcats trailed as much by three points three times in the second quarter. Fatou Ndao brought the Wildcats within one point with 4:27 left in the second quarter by connecting on both free throws. Daja Claiborne regained the lead for the Wildcats with a made layup with three minutes left in half. The Wildcats went into the half up by two points, 27-25.
Jade Roberts was responsible for the opening basket of the second half, thanks to an extra effort by Daja Claiborne for grabbing an offensive board and Amber Washington recording the assist. The Wolves pulled the game within two points with 3:41 left in the third quarter. Then, the Wolves tied the game at 36 apiece with 44 seconds left in the third quarter. Trinity Brittingham earned her way to the line with 21 seconds left of play and connected on both free-throws to have the Wildcats up 38-36 heading into the fourth.
The Wildcats pulled away in the fourth quarter as they scored a season-high 24 points in the quarter by taking advantage of the Wolves being in foul trouble. The Wildcats opened the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run. Four out of the Wildcats' five starters scored in the opening 10-0 run. The Wildcats found themselves up 16 points in the fourth quarter, up 56-40 with 3:22 left to play.
A Daja Claiborne jump shot at 2:36 left of play put the Wildcats up by 17 points. However, the Wildcats ended the game with a three-pointer jumper by Trinity Brittingham as the Wildcats sealed the 62-42 victory.
The starting five was responsible for all of the Wildcat's 62 points. Fatou Ndao led the way for the Wildcats with a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards. Daja Claiborne also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Amber Washington added 15 points and a game high six assists. Trinity Brittingham added 11 points, eight rebounds, and four steals. Jade Roberts finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
The Wildcats are back in action on New Year's Eve as they will travel to Bridgeport, Connecticut, to take on the Purple Knights in a CACC matchup at 1:00 PM.