NEWARK, Del. - - The three-point attack of the USciences Devils was too much to overcome as the Wilmington University women's basketball team fell, 76-50, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action to close out the 2017 calendar year on Saturday at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Devils (11-2, 3-1 CACC) hit 17 three-pointers in the contest, shooting 43.6 percent from deep in the contest. The 17 three-pointers resulted in 51 points. The Wildcats (4-8, 1-3 CACC) only made 17 field goals in the game, going 17-of-49, including 4-of-12 from three-point territory.
After a slow start in which the Devils scored the first five points, the Wildcats put in 11 straight, capped by a made layup from Jadyn Whitsitt and then a steal and layup by Macy Robinson midway through the first quarter. But the Devils responded by scoring nine of the last 11 points of the quarter, taking a 14-13 lead after one.
The Wildcats tied the game at 14 early in the second, but then it was all USciences from there. Back-to-back three pointers put the visitors up 28-19 before three more three-pointers stretched the Devils' lead out to 37-19. The Devils would go on to outscore the Wildcats, 28-10, in the second quarter to take a 42-23 lead into the halftime break.
Macy Robinson hit two early three-pointers in the third and Nyree Grant put back an offensive rebound to get the Wildcats as close as 45-35 with 5:33 to play in the third. The Devils scored the ensuing six points and later hit three straight three-pointers again to take a 60-37 lead with 1:04 to play in the third. The Devils would take a 24-point lead, 62-38, into the final quarter.
The lead would grow as large as 29 points early in the fourth quarter before the Devils took the final frame, 14-12, to win, 76-50.
Grant led the Wildcats with her second double-double of the season, scoring a team high 14 points to go with a game-high 14 rebounds. Whitsitt was the only other Wildcat to reach double figures, scoring 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Precious Palmer, Emma Matthews, and Robinson all finished with eight points each.
Delaware native Alex Thomas (St. Elizabeth's) scored her 1,000th career point for the University of the Sciences in the game. She led with a game high 19 points.
The Wildcats return to action after the New Year, as they head to Chestnut Hill for another CACC South Division battle on Wednesday night. The women are the first of the CACC doubleheader, with the opening tip scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
