Press Release Written by Mitchell Coll
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - - The Wildcats second half surge fell just short as they dropped a nonconference matchup to Lock Haven University, 84-72, on the road on Saturday afternoon at Thomas Fieldhouse.
The Wildcats (1-3) fell behind early from a 9-2 run by the Bald Eagles. However, on the game's first offensive possession for the Wildcats, Justin Thomas connected on a layup from a find by Taalib Holloman.
Jordan Jackson's three-point jumper from an assist by Justin Thomas seemed to get the offense rolling for the Wildcats with 16 minutes left to play in half. From off the bench, Kaleb Hedgepeth scored five points in back-to-back possessions a minute later. First, Hedgepeth drove to the lane to convert on a driving layup. On the next offensive possession, Hedgepeth was rewarded for his offensive rebound with a three-pointer to pull the Wildcats within seven points with 13:56 left to go in the half.
The Wildcats had the game within as close as two points in the first half. A Randy Rickards layup, an Amiri Stewart three-pointer, and a Jordan Jackson dunk had the score at 19-17 halfway through the first. Randy Rickards showed up on both ends of the floor as he connected on a jump shot and then stole the ball on the Bald Eagles' possession, which led to a Holloman dunk on a fast break.
The Wildcats went into the locker room down 37-27. Wilmington shot 12-30 from the field and 3 of 12 from beyond the arc. The Wildcats collected four offensive rebounds and 14 overall in the half.
The Bald Eagles opened the second half like the first with a 10-2 run. The Wildcats clawed back, however, and found themselves down ten with under 6 minutes left to go in the game. The Wildcats were aggressive under the rim up to this point to help close the gap as Skip Burton, Nalik Veasley, Justin Thomas, Taalib Holloman, and Randy Rickards (twice) all earned trips to the line 15 minutes into the second half.
Taalib Holloman found his third assist of the night when Jordan Jackson brought the game within eight points with 5:19 left of play. Jackson completed a four-point play by being fouled while sinking a three-pointer and then making the foul shot.
Randy Rickards collected his 16th point from another find from Taalib Holloman, and a steal by Jordan Jackson to a fast break layup had the Wildcats within five points with two minutes left to play. Taalib Holloman had a steal of his own on the next Bald Eagle possession and his dunk brought the Wildcats within three, trailing Lock Haven 68-65.
In the final two minutes of the game, Lock Haven was able to get to the line 14 times, and the difference maker was that they made 12 of them. The Wildcats scored 47 of their 74 points in the second half and shot 50 percent from the field (13-26). The Wildcats also went 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Senior Randy Rickards had a team-high 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting, five rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Sophomore Jordan Jackson had 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting, two rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals. Amiri Stewart (9 points) and Kaleb Hedgepeth (8 points) combined for 17 points off the bench. Justin Thomas added 12 points.
The Wildcats have a quick turnaround as they will head to West Chester University on Monday, November 21, for a scheduled game at 7:00 PM.