RUTHERFORD, N.J. - - With the game tied at 47 halfway through the fourth quarter, it was Felician that pulled away down the stretch, taking the makeup Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest, 62-57, from the Wilmington University women's basketball team inside Job Gym on Monday night.
Emily Ansah scored a new career-high with 21 points added her personal second-best 15 rebounds for a double-double. Jade Roberts dished out 10 assists, the most in a game for the Wildcats since Shantel Brown collected 10 assists against Bloomfield on February 28, 2010.
The Wildcats (1-15, 1-10 CACC) started fast, as Ansah scored back-to-back buckets before Skylar Parris hit a jumper and Jade Roberts put in a free throw to see the Wildcats go up 7-1. Ansah converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put the Wildcats up 13-8 inside a minute and then Amaja Mack gave the Wildcats a 15-8 advantage after the first 10 minutes with a jumper.
Felician (9-11, 7-4 CACC) started the second quarter on a 10-3 run to tie the game, 18-18. Jade Roberts and Emily Ansah found the bottom of the net but the Golden Falcons scored the next six points to take the 24-22 lead. An Amaja Mack layup gave the Wildcats a 27-26 lead, but the home team finished the quarter with the final three points, taking a 29-27 lead into the halftime break.
The Wildcats used a 6-0 run to tie the game, 35-35, with 4:23 to play in the quarter, and Emily Ansah retied the match with 41 points with 1:09 showing on the clock. But the Golden Falcons again finished the quarter out strong, scoring the final four points of the quarter to take a 45-41 lead into the final frame.
Daja Claiborne tied the game, 45-45, but the Wildcats could never find the bucket to take the lead. The Wildcats again tied the game, 47-47, but then the Golden Falcons scored five straight to lead 52-47. Down by as many as nine points with 3:20 to play, the Wildcats made one last push, getting to within four with 1:14, and four points again with 42 seconds to play. The Wildcats got the stop they were looking for, but Jade Roberts' three-pointer was off the mark and Felician grabbed the rebound.
Sabreen Muslim came off the bench to score 15 points and grab seven rebounds as well for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats went 13-for-22 from the foul line, leaving points out on the court in a close game. The Wildcats shot 36.1 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Golden Falcons, 45-43.
Felician's Briana Lee scored 19 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in the win.
The Wildcats have little time to dwell on Monday, as they will lace up their shoes once again on Wednesday night. They will play USciences at the WU Athletics Complex starting at 6:00 p.m.