NEWARK, Del. - - A big third quarter allowed West Chester to distance itself from the Wilmington University women's basketball team in a 97-46 nonconference victory on Sunday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (0-9) had their best shooting game of the year, hitting on 17-of-44 (38.6 percent) of their shots from the field, including hitting a season high seven three-pointers, but it was the Golden Rams (5-3) who shot 70.6 percent in the second quarter and 56.3 percent from the floor for the game in the win.
Fatou Ndao hit a three-pointer with 2:40 left in the first quarter to bring the Wildcats to within 14-10, but the Golden Rams rattled off the final nine points of the quarter to take a 23-10 lead after the opening quarter.
Tye Queen and Azayah Garrison hit jumpers early in the second quarter to get within 11 points, 25-14, but then West Chester went on another 9-0 run to open the gap to 34-14 with 7:39 showing on the clock.
An Amber Washington three-pointer and a Fatou Ndao layup had the Wildcats to within 16 points at different stages and then Ndao hit a jumper to bring the Wildcats to within 45-30 with 2:01 to play in the half. West Chester closed out the half on a 5-0 run, however, taking a 50-30 lead into the break.
The Golden Rams scored the first seven points of the third quarter and then used a 12-0 run to take a 69-33 lead. After a Wildcats free throw, the Golden Rams closed the quarter on an 8-0 run, winning the quarter, 27-4, and taking a 77-34 lead into the final frame.
Amber Washington had five points in the fourth quarter while Daja Claiborne scored four points and Skylar Parris hit three-pointer, but it wasn't enough as West Chester stretched the lead and won, 97-46.
Amber Washington led the Wildcats with 15 points and three assists, hitting three three-pointers in the game. Fatou Ndao scored nine points and had a game-high 10 rebounds. Trinity Brittingham hit two three-pointer for six points while Daja Claiborne scored six points and added four rebounds.
Emily McAteer led West Chester with 25 points, with all but two of them coming in the first half. Leah Johnson added 16 points while Michelle Kozicki scored 14 for the Golden Rams. All 14 Golden Rams that played scored in the game.
The Wildcats have little rest before heading to NCAA Division I foe George Washington on Tuesday afternoon. They play the Colonials at 3:00 p.m. in Washington D.C. For tickets, click here: