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NEWARK, Del. - - The upperclassmen led the Wilmington University men's basketball team to a 98-83 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory over crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom on Saturday night in the 2024-25 regular-season finale and Senior Night.
With the win, the Wildcats (9-19, 7-9 CACC) secured the No. 4 seed in the South Division in the upcoming CACC Tournament and will play North Division Regular Season Champion Dominican on Tuesday in the First Round. It is the seventh straight year the Wildcats have earned a berth into the CACC Tournament.
After a close first half, the Wildcats came out and shot 67.9 percent from the floor int eh second half, hitting 4-of-9 three pointers to distance themselves from the Lightning (11-17, 8-8 CACC).
Justin Perez hit a three-pointer to give the Wildcats a 48-39 lead and then another one moments later to give the Wildcats their first double-digit lead of the game, 54-44. The Lightning cut the deficit to six, but Tre Hawkins converted a three-point play and moments later another three-point play by Manir Waller would put the Wildcats up 10 again, 66-56, with 11:58 to play. The Lightning would not get within single digits for the rest of the game.
A layup from Izaiah Credle started a 6-0 spurt for the Wildcats, with Perez hitting another three-pointer for the 74-58 lead. Waller gave the Wildcats their first 20-point lead with a free throw, 86-66, and then the Wildcats reached 90 points, 90-70, with 4:06 to play. Justin Perez then gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the game, 95-74, with an old-fashioned three-point play.
Senior Manir Waller scored 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, hitting three three-pointers, and grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out six assists. Senior Izaiah Credle scored 17 points and led the team with seven rebounds in the game. Justin Perez finished with 22 points and five rebounds, shooting 8-of-11 from the field. Denim Perkins dished out eight assists to go with 12 points and four steals. Tre Hawkins added 16 points and five rebounds in the win.
The CACC Tournament First Round game will be play in Orangeburg, New York, on Tuesday, with the men's game tipping off at 7:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the CACC Tournament Semifinal hosted by Jefferson in Philadelphia.
