Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Holy Family Tigers, the No. 6 ranked team in the NCAA East region, defeated the Wilmington University Wildcats, 65-40, in the team's final Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division road game of the year on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats shot 4-of-11 from the field in the first quarter, good for 36.4 percent and a perfect 2-for-2 from the line. The Wildcats held the game close midway through the first, only trailing by three points, 9-6. Daja Claiborne grabbed an offensive board and laid the ball back into the basket to give the 'Cats their sixth point. Under three to play in the first quarter, the Tigers extended their lead to 14-6. Amber Washington then found Fatou Ndao for a layup to keep the Wildcats within six points. Washington then found Roberts for the Wildcats' final two points, as Roberts connected on a jump shot.
The Lions pulled away in the second quarter as the Wildcats only managed to convert two field goals in the second quarter. The 'Cats went 2-of-16 from the field and 1-of-2 from the line. However, the Wildcats were on the other end of a 9-0 run as Ndao scored the 'Cats' first basket of the second quarter with a converted free-throw with 6:10 left in the half. Claiborne again grabbed an offensive board from Ndao's second attempt at the line, eventually leading to a field goal made by Ndao from Skylar Parris. Ndao scored on the Wildcat's next possession with a layup assisted by Claiborne with under five minutes to go. The Lions would close out the final five minutes on a 7-0 run to go into the half up 36-15.
The Wildcats scored nine points in the third, going 4-of-16 from the field and 1-of-2 from the line. The 'Cats also outrebounded the Lions 11-10 in the third quarter with four offensive rebounds and seven defensive rebounds. Midway through the third period, the Lions outscored the 'Cats 8-1. Jade Roberts and Fatou Ndao connected on back-to-back field goals to give the Wildcats 20 points with just three minutes to play. Under three left to play in the third, the Lions were able to push the lead to thirty points. Tye Queen made her first basket of the game in the third quarter with under a minute to play.
The Wildcats outscored the Lions, 16-8, in the final period of play as the 'Cats went 8-of-17 from the field, good for 47.1 percent. The Wildcats again outrebounded the Lions, 11-10. Roberts earned her ninth point of the game in the first thirty seconds of the fourth quarter from an assist by Tye Queen. Roberts then picked up another assist by finding Washington for a two-point jumper. The Wildcats scored 10 points in the period's first five minutes.
Jade Roberts and Fatou Ndao both finished the game with 11 points. Roberts added seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and a steal. Ndao added six rebounds and two blocks.
The Wildcats will have one final game of the 2022-23 season as they will host Goldey-Beacom on Senior day on Saturday, February 25, at 4:00 PM.