Copyright 2015; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Jordan Hawkins by Frank Stallworth.
NEWARK, Del. - - Cheyney scored the last eight points of the game to erase a seven point deficit and steal a 60-59 victory from the Wilmington University women's basketball team on Monday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (6-5) led 59-52 with 1:36 to play in regulation but the Wolves (2-7) stormed back and won the game on the foul line with four seconds to play. The loss overshadows the record-breaking night by freshman Jordan Hawkins, as she came up with a program record 25 rebounds in the game.
Turnovers resulted in the Wildcats trailing 27-20 at the halftime break, but the home team quickly turned that deficit into a lead with a 14-point turnaround, outscoring the Wolves, 27-13 in the third quarter alone.
The Wildcats made it clear they wanted to work the low block in the third quarter, and Hawkins and teammate Lindsay Bradford went to work. Bradford shot 3-for-6 in the third quarter and 3-of-4 from the foul like to lead the team with nine points while Hawkins shot 3-of-r from the floor and 2-of-3 from the foul line to finish with eight points. Hawkins also grabbed nine rebounds in the third quarter, three on the offensive glass. Hawkins helped out defensively as well; picking up three blocked shots to aide the Wildcats in the 14-point swing.
The lead grew to as large as nine points in the fourth quarter for the Wildcats, as they held a 53-44 lead as late as 6:51 showing on the clock. Taylor Bolden hit a baseline jumper with 3:47 to play to give the Wildcats the 59-52 lead, but that would be the final point the home team would muster in the game.
The Wolves started the comeback with a straight away three-pointer with 1:35 left, followed by back-to-back missed layups from the Wildcats. Another three-pointer on the ensuing Wolves' possession cut the deficit to 59-58 with 54 seconds to play.
Bradford drove the lane on the Wildcats' next offensive possession, but the Wolves' Ceani Beaden got a hand on the ball and forced the turnover. Cheyney's Amber Genwright continued her own 7-0 run from the foul line, as she hit the second of two to tie the match, 59-59, with only 22 seconds to play.
The Wolves were then able to jump the entry pass to the high post with five seconds left, coming up with another steal. Trying to get out of the pack, Marlon Herring was fouled by Bradford with four seconds left in the game, sending her to the charity stripe with the game on the line. Herring converted the first foul shot, and the Wildcats were unable to get a shot off as the buzzer sounded.
Hawkins finished with a double-double, scoring a game-high 18 points while adding her single-game record 25 rebounds. She grabbed eight offensive rebounds and 17 defensive boards. She also added six blocked shots in the game. Bradford added 15 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. Tenicia Spence was the final Wildcat to reach double figures, adding 11 points on the night.
The Wildcats have little time to dwell on the stunning loss, as they return to action on Wednesday night. The Wildcats square off against Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division foe Chestnut Hill at the WU Athletics Complex starting at 6:00 p.m.