NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's basketball team led by seven points early in the fourth quarter, but Shepherd stormed back to steal a 57-53 nonconference victory from the Wildcats on Sunday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (0-5) led by a point at the halftime break and held a four-point lead after three quarters. Amber Washington hit a three-pointer to begin the fourth quarter, but then the Rams (1-3) went on an 11-2 run to turn the game upside down.
Shepherd raced out to their largest lead of the game, 9-4, with 4:42 to play in the first quarter. But the Wildcats answered right back with buckets from Emani Lucas-Davis to bring it to within 9-8. Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason hit a three-pointer in the final minute of play as the Wildcats and Rams went into the second quarter tied, 11-11.
Amber Washington hit a jumper to put the Wildcats up 15-11, but the Rams battled back and the scoring went on the see-saw until the final minute of play. Aniyah Bond hit a three-pointer to break a 26-26 tie with 1:08 to play, but the Rams hit a pair from the free throw line as the game remained close at the half, 29-28, in favor of the Wildcats.
Five quick points from Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason gave the Wildcats a 34-28 lead and then Mia Fuller hit from the line to give the Wildcats their largest lead of the game, 36-28, with 7:38 to play in the third quarter. The Rams battled back with a 7-0 run to get it to within a point but the Wildcats had the last say in the quarter, as Cha'Nyah Dunsotn-Mason hit a pull-up jumper to before the buzzer for the Wildcats to take a 43-39 lead into the fourth quarter.
Amber Washington hit a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter, giving the Wildcats a 46-39 lead. Aniyah Bond put in an offensive rebound to push the Wildcats lead to four, 48-44, but Shepherd used a 6-0 run to grab a 50-48 lead with 5:58 to play. Trinity Brittingham hit a three-pointer to regain a lead, but the Rams kept finding an answer. Down two points, Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason hit a midrange jumper to tie the game, 53-53, with 1:52 to play, but missed her next opportunity which would have given the Wildcats the lead. The Rams then converted on their offensive possession, picked up a block at the other end, and put the game away with a fade-away jumper with eight seconds showing on the clock, 57-53.
Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason led the Wildcats with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, adding seven rebounds and three assists. Aniyah Bond had nine points and 11 rebounds while Amber Washington finished with nine points and four rebounds. Trinity Brittingham came off the bench and recorded four blocked shots and four rebounds.
Sunday was the final tune-up prior to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play, as they host Chestnut Hill on Wednesday night in the first conference game of the year. the women tip things off at 6:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex.