PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - A slow start on the second day of a back-to-back hurt the Wilmington University women's basketball team, as the Wildcats fought back but dropped a 53-39 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference decision on the road at Chestnut Hill on Wednesday night inside Sorgenti Arena.
The Wildcats (1-15, 0-6 CACC) won the second half, 32-22, but it was too little too late as they found themselves in a first half hole. The Griffins (9-6, 4-2 CACC) won the first quarter, 19-3, and held a 31-7 lead at the halftime break.
It was tough sledding for the Wildcats in the opening quarter, as they went 0-11 from the field and 3-for-3 from the foul line. The Griffins shot 8-of-17 from the floor in the quarter (47.1 percent), including two three-pointers to jump out to a 19-3 lead.
Jade Roberts found the bottom of the net with 6:57 left in the second quarter. Fatou Ndao put in a layup on the Wildcats next possession as well, but the team didn't shoot much better in the second quarter, going just 2-or-10 overall. The Griffins won the second, 12-4, to go into the halftime break leading 31-7.
The Wildcats used a 10-0 run in the third quarter to cut into the deficit. Trailing 39-14, Ndao started the run with a layup. Amaja Mack converted an old-fashioned three-point play before Ndao ended the run with an offensive putback to bring the Wildcats to within 39-24. Mack ended the quarter with a jumper to go into the fourth down 46-26.
Ndao started the fourth quarter with an old-fashioned three-point play and then Jade Roberts hit back-to-back jumpers to bring the Wildcats to within 48-35 with 4:27 to play. The Wildcats had two possessions to potentially get the game to within single digits but couldn't convert. The Griffins came down and hit a three-pointer to switch momentum.
Jade Roberts led the Wildcats by scoring 13 of her team high 16 points in the second half, adding four rebounds and two steals. Fatou Ndao scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half, adding nine rebounds and two blocked shots. Amber Washington scored two points but added eight rebounds and four assists. Amaja Mack chipped in with seven points.
The Wildcats will play their third CACC contest in four days when they travel to Alliance University (formerly Nyack College) on Friday night. The game will be played at New Jersey City University with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.