WASHINGTON, D.C. - - The Wilmington University men's basketball rebounded nicely on little rest on Monday night, defeating the University of the District of Columbia, 78-66, inside the EB Henderson Complex.
After dropping a physical contest on Saturday, the Wildcats (9-6 overall) responded with a hardnosed nonconference victory on Monday night. They held the Firebirds (4-9) to shooting 32.9 percent from the floor for the game, including just 27.6 percent in the second half.
Free throws from Marcus Pierce gave the Wildcats a 21-14 lead in the first half, but the Firebirds went on a 14-5 run to take a 28-26 lead with 5:50 to play in the half, capped by an old-fashioned three-point play.
Down 31-29, Marcus Pierce converted a three-point play to spark a 9-0 run towards the end of the first half. The Firebirds scored back-to-back buckets but then Ash Kemble tips in an offensive rebound to send the Wildcats into the halftime break leading 40-35.
Amiri Stewart hit a three-pointer to start the second half but the first eight minutes were played within a six-point margin. Ash Kemble hit a three-pointer to give the Wildcats a seven-point lead and then Brycen Williams hit a triple to give the Wildcats their first double digit lead, 57-47, with 10:40 to play. Nalik Veasley put in a layup and then Amiri Stewart came up with a steal and a feed to Taalib Holloman who dunked it home for the 63-50 lead with 5:46 on the clock.
Another 9-2 sprint pushed the Wildcats lead out to 72-54 with 3:23 to play, capped by a Skip Burton three-pointer. A Nalik Veasley three-point play pushed the lead out to 19 points, 75-56, before a Caleb Matthews three-pointer gave the visitors their largest lead of the game, 78-58, with 2:16 left in regulation. The Firebirds scored the final eight points of the game to settle the score at 78-66.
Nalik Veasley protected the rim for the Wildcats, aiding in keeping the Firebirds to a low shooting percentage. Veasley came away with seven blocked shots, the second most in a game in WilmU's program history. He tied Allen Hairston who had seven blocks on December 17, 2008, and only Tajee Almon had more in a game (9) in the 2016-17 season. He also finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Caleb Matthews led the Wildcats with 16 points, hitting four three-pointers. Marcus Pierce came off the bench and scored 12 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Amiri Stewart was the final Wildcat in double figures with 10 points, adding six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action with their next game, heading to North Jersey on Saturday to take on Felician. The opening tip is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Job Gym.