NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's basketball team couldn't hold onto a late fourth quarter lead as Chestnut Hill came back for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference overtime victory, 91-84, on Tuesday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (6-19, 3-13 CACC) used a 27-17 second quarter to head into the halftime break leading by six points, but the Griffins (16-9, 12-4 CACC) erased the deficit with a 25-17 third quarter to going into the fourth frame with a 60-56 lead.
The Griffins started the fourth quarter with a three-pointer to move ahead by seven points, but Jadyn Whitsitt started a 9-0 Wilmington spurt with a three-pointer. Emma Matthews then hit a three before converting an old-fashioned three-point play to take the lead, 65-63, with 6:46 left in regulation.
Chestnut hill fought back to take a 71-69 lead with 3:16 to play, by Macy Robinson swung the momentum back in favor of the Wildcats with a three-pointer for the lead, 72-71, with 3:00 showing on the clock. Matthews put the home team ahead, 74-71, with a jumper with 2:14 to play.
But the Wildcats went 0-for-2 with a turnover in their next three possessions, allowing the Griffins to stick around. An offensive rebound and one free throw brought the Griffins to within 74-72 with 23 seconds left, but a turnover immediately following the missed free throw gave the Griffins the ball back.
The Wildcats were unable to come up with another rebound, and the Griffins were fouled on the offensive board, getting another trip to the foul line. This time, Jaeda Wildgoose hit both from the line to tie the score. Whitsitt's game-winning attempt was off the mark to send the game into overtime.
The beginning of the overtime period was back and forth, as Mikala Casimir gave the Wildcats the lead with two from the line, 80-78. Matthews tied the game again with a layup, 82-82, with 1:32 left, but the Griffins went on a game defining 7-0 run as the Wildcats went 0-for-2 with a turnover.
Matthews led four Wildcats in double figures with 22 points while Robinson scored 20 points with four three-points to go with six rebounds and six assists. Whitsitt came off the bench to score 15 points while hitting all three of her three-pointers, adding eight rebounds as well. Nyree Grant collected another double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, adding four blocked shots.
The Wildcats went 11-of-12 from the foul line, but were out matched at the stripe as the Griffins went 21-of-31 for the game.
The Wildcats have another chance to win at the WU Athletics Complex with their next contest, as they host Post on Saturday afternoon. The team will host National Girls and Women in Sports Day festivities during the women's game starting at 1:00 p.m.
