PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Wilmington University men's basketball team had a chance with seconds left but couldn't convert, as Jefferson escaped with a 79-77 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division victory on Wednesday night inside the Gallagher Center.
A 9-0 run ending with 2:36 to play gave the Rams (13-10, 7-6 CACC) a six-point lead. The Wildcats (6-18, 4-8 CACC) tied the game with 44 seconds left, but four-straight points from Jefferson allowed the home team to regain the lead. Manir Waller hit a three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left and then the Rams tossed the inbounds play out of bounds to give the Wildcats a chance. But the Wildcats struggled to get it in as well, turning the ball and ultimately the game, back over to the Rams.
The game was played with a six-point margin the entire game. Jefferson jumped out to an 8-2 lead and held their final six-point lead of the first half with 15:08 to play, 12-6. The Wildcats too their first lead of the game, 18-17, on a Izaiah Credle fastbreak layup with 9:20 left in the half. The teams went on the see-saw until a 7-0 spurt gave the Rams a 27-22 lead. Izaiah Credle fired back with a 5-0 personal run to tie the game, 29-29 and then made it an 8-2 personal run to give the Wildcats the lead with a three-pointer, 32-31. Another Credle three-point play tied the game, 35-35, before the Rams scored the final bucket to take a 37-35 lead into the break.
Jefferson regained its largest lead of six early in the second half and as late as 17:46 showing on the clock. A Jaylin Horsey three-pointer tied the game, 49-49, and then a Manir Waller layup gave the Wildcats their first lead of the second period, 54-53. Four free throws from Jaylin Horsey and a turnaround jumper in the paint from Credle gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the game, 60-55, as they held that lead as late as 7:54 to play, 62-57.
Manir Waller hit a three-pointer for a 68-65 lead with 4:32 showing on the clock, but the Rams then rattled off a 9-0 run taking a 74-68 lead with 2:36 to play, setting up the final sequence down the stretch.
Izaiah Credle set a new season high with 25 points on 6-of13 shooting and 11-of-13 from the foul line. Manir Waller finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Jaylin Horsey added 16 points off the bench as well.
The Wildcats will travel back to Philadelphia for their next game on Saturday. They head to Holy Family for another CACC South Division battle at Holy Family. The men tip-off at 2:00 p.m. inside the Campus Center.