Press release written by Mitchell Coll
Video Recap at the bottom of the page
NEWARK, Del.--- The Wilmington University men's basketball team secured its first victory in conference play this season in the nightcap of a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at the WU Athletic Complex against Holy Family with a score of 80-71. The win snaps a two-game losing streak against the Tigers.
The Tigers (2-6, 0-2 CACC) opened up the contest on a 6-0 run, which was the largest lead for them in the game. Justin Thomas helped the Wildcats (3-6, 1-2 CACC) close that gap quickly with a three-point jumper, off a nice feed by Danny Walsh.
A Danny Walsh three-pointer at 12:49 gave the 'Cats their first lead of the game making the score 13-11. The Tigers regained the lead at 16-15 on a made jumper by Jake McGonigle with 9:22 left, but Justin Thomas solidified the lead for the rest of the game with a fast-break layup making it 17-16 with 7:10 left in the first half.
Sophomore guard Taalib Holloman ended the half in style with a three-point jumper that beat the buzzer, off an assist from Kameron Cooper.
The second half started with a made layup by freshman guard Ethan Tarte, followed by a Kameron Cooper three-point field goal at 18:51 assisted by Justin Thomas.
The 'Cats defense in the second half was the difference-maker. The Wildcats as a team had five steals in the second half, good for nine in the game. The nail in the coffin came from Kameron Cooper who intercepted a Manny Toha pass (one of his four steals) at 14:53 and was all alone for a breakaway dunk, that had the Complex rocking. The dunk stretched the lead to 10, making the score 45-35. After that, the Wildcats controlled the rest of the half.
Senior guard Kameron Cooper led the way for the Wildcats with a season and career-high of 24 points. Cooper was one shy of a double-double with nine rebounds and dished out three assists. Junior guard Justin Thomas continued his strong scoring presence with 17 points, to go along with seven boards and an assistant. Graduate guard Danny Walsh matched Thomas with 17 points, also adding three assists and two rebounds. Junior Randy Rickards was a force defensively with two blocks, two steals and adding nine points on the offensive end.
The Wildcats take to the road for two midweek games next week, first with another CACC contest at USciences on Tuesday night. The contest will start at 7:30 p.m. in Philadelphia.
