Video Recap at Bottom of Page
NEWARK, Del. - - Randy Rickards broke the tie score with seven seconds left, converting the tough layup to give the Wilmington University men's basketball team the 69-67 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division victory over Chestnut Hill on Tuesday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
Following a stretch in which the Wildcats (12-9, 5-6 CACC) lost four out of five games, they are now on a three-game winning streak and in third place in the CACC South Division.
The game came down to Rickards in the final seconds, but it was after the Griffins (10-12, 5-7 CACC) fought back from a six-point deficit with 5:28 to play in the game. Amiri Stewart finished a fast break layup to give the Wildcats a 65-59 lead but the Griffins came back down the floor and hit a three-pointer and then took the lead with a layup and a pair from the foul line, 66-65, with 3:27 to play.
The Wildcats set a perfect trap on the Griffins as Nalik Veasley was able to pry the ball loose with 1:20 to play. Amiri Stewart again finished on the fast break, giving the Wildcats a 67-66 lead with 1:16 to play. The Griffins were fouled and sent to the line, but only made the first of two to tie the game, 67-67, with 1:11 showing on the clock.
Neither team could hit on their ensuing possessions as Caleb Matthews grabbed a defensive rebound with 30 seconds left and called a timeout to set up the final play. The Wildcats worked it around the perimeter before Justin Thomas lobbed a pass over the top to Rickards on the block. He turned and converted the tough layup with seven seconds left for the lead.
The Griffins tried to hurry down the court, but the long-distance game-winning three-pointer was blocked by Stewart as time expired.
The Wildcats turned an eight-point deficit with 2:54 to play in the first half into a four-point halftime lead on the strength of a 12-0 run, capped by a Justin Thomas two-pointer at the buzzer to give the Wildcats a 36-32 lead at the break.
Wilmington tied their biggest lead of the night with a Justin Thomas old-fashioned three-point play early in the second half, taking a 41-34 lead. The Griffins fought back and took a 46-41 lead of their own before the Wildcats fought back and continued the seesaw second half before the Randy Rickards heroics.
Randy Rickards led four Wildcats in double figures with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double. Amiri Stewart scored 15 points to go with seven rebounds and four blocked shots while Justin Thomas finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and a team-high four assists. Taalib Holloman scored 10 points to go with three rebounds.
Chestnut Hill was led by MJ Iraldi's 20 points and nine rebounds while Conor Regan scored 13 points to go with seven rebounds. Amir Warrick added 10 points and seven rebounds as well.
The Wildcats' three-game home stand concluded on Saturday as they host Post at the WU Athletics Complex. The game is set for a 3:00 p.m. opening tip.