PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The 11th ranked Jefferson Rams used a late second quarter run to separate themselves from the Wilmington University women's basketball team in the final game of the 2023 calendar schedule, as the Rams won the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game, 83-40, on Saturday inside the Gallagher Center.
The Wildcats (1-11, 0-2 CACC) had the game to within six points midway through the second quarter, but then the Rams (10-1, 2-0 CACC), ranked No. 11 in the lates WBCA Division II National Poll, closed out the half on a 19-9 run and never looked back.
Amber Washington hit a three-point to give the Wildcats a 5-4 lead, but the Rams responded with an 8-0 run to regain the lead. Daja Claiborne hit a jumper to close out the first quarter, but the Rams doubled up the Wildcats, 20-10, after the first quarter.
The Rams raced out to a 26-12 lead early in the second quarter but then Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason hit five quick points with a layup, a Mia Fuller steal, and another three-pointer to put momentum on Wilmington's side. Mia Fuller then completed an old-fashioned three-point play and the Wildcats had the deficit to within 26-20 with the 8-0 spurt. But the Rams again answered with a 6-0 run of their own and then led by as many as 17 points before the halftime break. The Rams used a 19-9 run over the final 6:12 of the quarter to take a 45-29 lead into the break.
The Rams scored the first six points of the third quarter as the Wildcats went ice-cold from the floor. They shot 3-of-17 from the floor in the third quarter, being outscored 17-6 as the Rams extended their lead out to 27 after three-quarters.
The Wildcats continued to struggle from the floor in the fourth quarter, shooting 2-of-15 as the Rams continued to extend their lead.
Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason led the Wildcats with 12 points, shooting 4-of-7 from the floor for the game, including 3-of-4 from three-point land to go with four rebounds. Amber Washington finished with 10 points while hitting two three-pointers, adding three rebounds and three steals. Daja Claiborne led the team with six rebounds while Trinity Brittingham had four steals.
The Wildcats are back in action after the New Year, heading back to Philadelphia to take on another CACC South Division foe in Holy Family. The game on Wednesday night is set for 6:00 p.m.