NEWARK, Del. - - A layup with 23 seconds left saw Bloomfield battle all the way back from a double-digit deficit to win, 73-72, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference cross divisional battle over the Wilmington University men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (5-14, 3-4 CACC) led by 10 points with 8:44 to play and had the final possession to win the game. Bloomfield (12-6, 5-3 CACC) blocked a three-pointer with 1.7 left on the clock and then defended the final attempt, stealing the one-point victory.
Wilmington led for 27:52 of the game, turning a seven-point deficit with 9:39 to play in the first half into a 36-28 halftime lead.
Three free throws from Justin Perez started the second half, giving the Wildcats their biggest lead of the night, 39-28, with 19:23 to play. The Bears rattled off a 10-1 run to climb to within 40-38, but the Wildcats were able the lead. Manir Waller hit a turnaround jumper in the paint and then a three-pointer to raise the lead back out to 47-40. Hamahrie Bowers hit a three-pointer in the corner and Denim Perkins had the seas part for an easy layup to put the Wildcats ahead, 61-51, with 8:44 on the clock, forcing Bloomfield into a timeout.
The Bears quickly scored seven straight and then got it to within 62-60 with a putback with 6:14 to play. Denim Perkins hit a three-pointer and Jaylin Horse put in a layup to give the Wildcats five-point leads. Bloomfield had a second chance putback to get it to within two and then a blocked shot and a fast break three-point play put the Bears in front, 71-70, with 54 seconds left.
Denim Perkins wiggled into the paid and hit a floater to regain a 72-71 lead with 39 seconds to play but the Bears answered right back with a layup to hold a 73-72 lead with 23 seconds showing on the board.
Jaylin Horsey had a three-pointer in the corner blocked out of bounds, leaving 1.7 seconds left. Out of a timeout, Jaylin Horsey received the inbounds again and tried to get off a contested three-pointer. The whistles stayed silent as the horn sounded and Bloomfield walked away with the one-point victory.
Manir Waller finished with his second straight double-double, scoring 20 points while grabbing 10 rebounds, adding five assists and a steal. Denim Perkins scored 16 points while grabbing nine rebounds and added three assists and three steals. Jaylin Horsey came off the bench and scored 14 points.
The Bears' Edward Ngene scored 19 points while adding 18 rebounds and five blocked shots to lead the visitors.
The Wildcats look to rebound in their next contest, hitting the road to take on Chestnut Hill on Tuesday night. The men complete the doubleheader in Sorgenti Arena with an 8:00 p.m. tipoff.