NEWARK, Del. - - A big second quarter pushed the Dominican University Chargers past the Wilmington University women's basketball team, 58-37, as the Wildcats celebrated Senior Day on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (1-23, 0-13 CACC) celebrated its seven seniors prior to tip-off, playing in their final weekend home game at the WU Athletics Complex. The coaching staff and administration honored Trinity Brittingham, Katie Bushong, Hailey Downin, Azayah Garrison, Amaja Mack, Tanasia Miles, and Amber Washington ahead of the game with the Chargers.
Tied 10-10 after the first quarter, the Chargers (10-13, 7-6 CACC) outscored the Wildcats (1-23, 0-13 CACC), 18-1, in the second quarter to take a commanding lead. The Wildcats outrebounded the Chargers, 45-39, and took more shots, 63-50, but the Wildcats shot 23.8 percent from the field and only hit on 3-of-23 from three-point territory in the loss.
Katie Bushong tied the game, 7-7, with a free throw and then Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason hit a three-pointer to give the Wildcats a 10-7 lead with 3:49 to play. The Chargers tied the game with a three-point play and the game was tied, 10-10, at the end of the first quarter.
But the second quarter was where the Chargers took over, outscoring the Wildcats, 18-1. The Wildcats went 0-of-15 from the floor and just 1-for-4 from the foul line in the quarter. The Chargers led 28-11 at the halftime break.
The Wildcats didn't score a bucket until 5:57 remaining in the third quarter, spanning a total of 17:04 of game time between field goals. By the time Amaja Mack hit a turnaround jumper in lane, the Chargers were leading 32-13, with 5:57 to play in the third quarter. Daja Claiborne scored six straight points for the Wildcats and then Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason hit a three-pointer with 57 seconds left to half the lead, 44-22. But the Chargers scored at the buzzer and led 46-22 after three-quarters.
Amber Washington and Aniyah Bond scored four points each in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats won the fourth, 15-12. Aniyah Bond scored four straight points and then Amber Washington scored four straight before Azayah Garrison hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to bring the final score to 58-37.
Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason led the Wildcats with nine points off the bench while Amaja Mack, Amber Washington, and Daja Claiborne scored six points each. Washington grabbed nine rebounds while Claiborne added four rebounds. Azayah Garrison scored five points while grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks.
The Wildcats' four-game home stand continues Tuesday night when they welcome Holy Family to the Complex for a CACC South Division contest. The opening tip is set for 6:00 p.m.
