NEWARK, Del. - - A three-pointer from the corner with 15 seconds left pushed Georgian Court ahead for the final time in a 54-51 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division battle on Tuesday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
Both teams were looking for their first CACC victories of the season and it was the Wildcats (1-14, 0-5 CACC) that looked as though they would get it done after winning the first two quarters. They took a 12-8 lead into the second and held a 27-19 lead at the halftime break.
The Lions rallied in the third by shooting 57.1 percent from the floor, winning the quarter, 19-6, to take a 38-33 lead into the fourth and final frame.
Georgian Court hit a three-pointer to take a 43-36 lead with 8:46 to play in regulation, but then Amber Washington answered with a three-pointer of her own to start a Wilmington rally. Fatou Ndao put back an offensive rebound and then Amaja Mack tied it off an in-bounds play, 43-43, with 6:54 showing on the clock.
The Lions regained the lead with a pair from the foul line, but Jade Roberts retied the game with a steal and easy layup, 45-45, with 4:41 to play. Fatou Ndao gave the Wildcats the lead with a long jumper but the Lions answered with a three-pointer to take a 48-47 lead with 3:46 showing on the clock.
The Lions added to their lead with two more free throws, but the Wildcats weren't done yet. Jade Roberts hit a jumper and then Fatou Ndao put the Wildcats in front with a layup, putting in her own offensive rebound, 51-50, with 52 seconds to play.
Needing a stop, Ndao stepped up big with a block and came down with the rebound with 41 seconds left. But she shuffled her feet trying to find an outlet, giving the ball back to the Lions. The Lions took full advantage as Savawm Hughes hit a corner three-pointer right in front of her bench with 15 seconds left to put the Lions in front, 53-51.
The Wildcats dialed up a play out of a timeout but Amber Washington's shot from beyond the foul line was off the mark and Georgian Court came down with the rebound to hang on.
Savawn Hughes hit three three-pointers and finished with a double-double to lead the Lions. She scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds to go with four assists and two steals as well.
Fatou Ndao collected her third double-double of the year with a team high 18 points and 12 rebounds, adding two assists and two blocks. Amber Washington finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals while Jade Roberts also finished with 10 points, adding four rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
The Wildcats led in points in the paint, 28-20, and second chance points, 16-8, but the Lions scored 21 points off 19 WilmU turnovers. The Wildcats only scored 12 points off 15 GCU mishaps.
The Wildcats will take a four-game road trip after tonight, starting with a test at Chestnut Hill Wednesday night. The Wildcats and Griffins tip-off at 7:00 p.m. in Philadelphia.