PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - A slow start loomed large for the Wilmington University women's basketball team, falling to Jefferson, 70-48, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division action inside the Gallagher Center on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats (0-22, 0-11 CACC) played the Rams (17-6, 11-2 CACC) to a one-point deficit over the final three quarters, 44-43, but it was a slow first quarter that proved to be the difference maker on Wednesday night. The Rams raced out to a 26-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Jefferson scored the first eight points of the game and raced out to a 16-1 lead with 4:08 to play in the first quarter. Emma Brown scored four of the five points for the Wildcats in the frame, but the Rams scored the final six points to lead by 21 points, 26-5.
Emma Brown again led the Wildcats with four points in the second quarter while Samiyah McFarlane hit a three-pointer and LeAnna Masseus grabbed seven rebounds, but the Rams held a 12-11 advantage in the frame and led 38-16 at the half.
Jefferson extended the lead out to 29 before the Wildcats had their biggest scoring run of the game. Emma Brown started a 12-0 run with a pair from the foul line. Jasmine McDuffie hit a three-pointer, Brown scored in the paint, McDuffie hit another three-pointer, and Brown converted on the break after a steal from McDuffie, bringing the Wildcats to within 17 points. The Wildcats and Rams tied the third quarter, 16-16.
An Aniyah Bond three-pointer brought the Wildcats to their closest deficit of the fourth quarter, 63-43, but the Rams wouldn't allow the visitors to claw back into the contest. Jasmine McDuffie and Bond scored six points in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats and Rams tied the final frame, 16-16, as well.
Jasmine McDuffie scored 14 points while hitting four three-pointers, adding seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocked shots. Emma Brown came off the bench and scored 14 points to go with six rebounds and two steals. LeAnna Masseus grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds while Aniyah Bond finished with eight points and six rebounds.
The Wildcats set a new season low with 13 turnovers on Wednesday night while forcing Jefferson into 14 turnovers. The Wildcats turned the 14 turnovers in 16 points at the other end.
The Wildcats return to Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon when they play Holy Family in the Campus Center. The women tip-off at 12:00 p.m.