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Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll
NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's basketball team ended its 2022-23 season on a high note as the Wildcats closed the season with a 52-47 victory over the crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The win snapped an 11-game losing streak to their in-state foes, having not won since the 2015-16 season at the Joseph West Jones Center. Tonight was the first time the Wildcats defeated the Lightning inside the WU Athletics Complex, which opened for the 2012-13 season.
A slow start for both teams in the first period, as the Wildcats won the period 6-to-4. The Wildcats shot 7.1 percent from the field, and the Lightning shot 5.9 percent in the first period. Amber Washington scored the first two points of the game 6:49 into the game as she earned her way to the free-throw line. The next possession, Amaja Mack converted a three-point shot from an assist by Washington. Jade Roberts scored the final point of the period for the Wildcats with a made free-throw with 3:17 left.
Midway through the second period, an Amber Washington three pushed the Wildcats' lead to five points from an assist by Roberts. Roberts then extended the lead to seven with two made free throws. The Lightning would climb back from seven points and go into the half up by three points, 18-15.
The Wildcats half time adjustments proved to be working as their offensive presence hit another gear in the second half. The Wildcats scored 37 of their 52 points in the second half. In addition, the Wildcats shot 46.2 percent from the field in the third (6-of-13) for 16 third-period points. Fatou Ndao tied the game up at 20 apiece with 7:03 left in the period with a jump shot from an assist by Roberts. The next three baskets were from Ndao as Ndao helped push the Wildcats to a four-point lead with a little over three minutes to play. The two teams would enter the fourth period deadlocked at 31.
Midway through the fourth period, the Wildcats outscored the Lightning eight points to five and had a 39-34 lead. The Lightning wouldn't go away, however, as they could tie the game again at 39 with 2:41 left in the game. Jade Roberts earned two free throws and made both to push their lead to two points with 2:21 to go. A huge Wildcats defensive stop allowed the Wildcats to go up two possessions as Jade Roberts, and Daja Claiborne grabbed offensive rebounds, and Claiborne would connect on a layup to put the Wildcats up five, 43-39, with 1:19 to play. The Wildcats, up two possessions, were fouled five times in the last minute of play so that the Lightning could preserve the clock. However, the Wildcats were able to knock down their free throws to negate any possible comeback from the Lightning.
Senior Fatou Ndao led the way on her final game as a Wildcat. Ndao scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and had one steal and two blocks. Amber Washington added 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Jade Roberts was the final Wildcat in double-digits, adding a 12-point double-double with 13 rebounds. Roberts also added four assists and two blocks.
The Wildcat's 2022-23 campaign ended by finishing 2-24 overall and 2-14 in CACC play. Senior Fatou Ndao led the Wildcats in scoring on the year with 252 season points, suitable for a nine-point game average. In addition, Daja Claiborne led the Wildcats in total rebounds with 194 boards. Also, Amber Washington led the way in assists this year with 77.
