ORANGEBURG, N.Y. - - A big third quarter brought the Wilmington University women's basketball team to within striking distance, but Dominican held off the Wildcats in the fourth quarter for a 56-39 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference victory on Saturday at the Hennessy Center.
Trailing by 15 points at the break, the Wildcats (1-13, 0-4 CACC) came out of the locker room and used a 14-6 third quarter to get to within as few as five points. Dominican (10-6, 5-1 CACC) went into the fourth quarter with a seven-point lead.
Jade Roberts scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to bring the Wildcats to within 37-34, but then the Chargers went on a 19-5 run to close out the contest and stave off the Wildcats.
Tanasia Miles hit a three-pointer to bring the Wildcats to within 10-8, but the Chargers answered with their own three-pointer with the clock winding down to end the first with a 13-8 lead. Miles started the second with a layup to make it 13-10, but the Chargers hit three three-pointers in route to a 13-0 run to take a 26-10 lead. The Chargers hit another late quarter three-pointer to end the half, taking a 31-16 lead into the break.
Dominican scored four of the first six points of the third quarter before the Wildcats went on a 12-0 run to get back into the contest. Fatou Ndao started the run with a layup before Azayah Garrison brought the Wildcats to within single digits, 35-26. Amaja Mack hit a jumper to make it 35-30, but the Wildcats couldn't convert on their final two possessions of the third quarter, trailing 37-30.
Jade Roberts put in a layup and then converted another layup out of a timeout and the Wildcats were within 37-34 with 7:19 on the clock. But the Wildcats had a defensive lapse, as the Chargers pulled the ball out of the basket and a long throw down court allowed the Chargers to score quickly and restore momentum.
Amber Washington hit a three-pointer with 6:29 to play to bring the Wildcats to within 41-37, but the Chargers went on a 7-0 run to regain command.
Three Wildcats finished with a team high eight points, led by Amber Washington's eight points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Fatou Ndao had eight points to go with six rebounds and four blocks while Amaja Mack had eight points and four rebounds. Jade Roberts finished with six points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The Wildcats return home on Tuesday to start a stretch of three games in four games. They host Georgian Court at the WU Athletics Complex on Tuesday starting at 6:00 p.m.