COLCHESTER, Vt. - - A second straight second half comeback fell short for the Wilmington University men's basketball team on Sunday, falling to Assumption, 75-63, in the Delta Hotel Doc Jacobs Tipoff Classic hosted by St. Michael's.
Trailing by 10 points at the halftime break, the Wildcats (0-2) made a quick early run to cut it to within a single point in the first 2:46 of the second half. But the Greyhounds (2-0) opened the lead back out to double digits moments later. The Wildcats continued to fight and against got it as close to two points with 6:47 to play, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the way, as Assumption pulled away for the win.
Danny Walsh hit the first shot of the game for the Wildcats, a three-points from straight on, and Randy Rickards put in a layup for the 7-5 lead. But the Greyhounds answered with a 15-4 run to take a 20-11 lead with 8:02 to play in the half.
Kameron Cooper hit a three-pointer with 5:09 to play before the break to bring the Wildcats to within 22-19, but Assumption scored the 10 of the final 13 points of the half to take a 32-22 lead into the break.
Danny Walsh started the second half with back-to-back three-pointers to bring the Wildcats to within four points, and then Justin Thomas hit a three and Randy Rickards out back an offensive rebound to bring the Wildcats to within 34-33 with 17:14 to left in regulation.
Assumption answered once again with a 10-0 run, taking a 44-33 led with 15:34 left.
Still trailing by nine, the Wildcats cut into the deficit with a dunk from Rickards, a jumper from Cooper, and a fastbreak layup from Danny Walsh to climb to within 53-50 with 7:19 to play. Caleb Matthews hit a three-pointer on the break to bring the Wildcats to with 57-55, but Assumption answered with an old-fashioned three-point play on their next possession and their lead was never less than three points the rest of the way.
Justin Thomas and Randy Rickards led the Wildcats with double-doubles, as both finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Danny Walsh went for a team high 15 points, hitting three three-pointers.
The Wildcats shot 31.9 percent from the floor (23-for-72), shooting 9-of-31 (29 percent) from three-point territory.
The Wildcats have one more road game before their home opener next weekend, as they travel to Shippensburg on Wednesday night. The opening tip is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.