NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Finding themselves down 11-0 before the ball broke through its own basket, the Wilmington University women's basketball team dropped its 10th straight contest, this time a 67-29 loss to the University of the Sciences in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Tuesday night at the Pratt Center.
Before a Kimberly Walker jumper at the 14:39 mark got them on the board, the Wildcats (1-11, 0-7 CACC) found themselves in an 11-0 hole to start the game. The Devils (8-7, 4-3 CACC) had every player on the bench see action and score at least three points in the victory.
Before they knew what hit them, the Wildcats found themselves trailing 31-6 with 4:26 remaining in the first half. The 25 points were the largest lead of the first half for USP, as they went into the locker room up 38-14.
Even playing on their home court, the iron was unkind to the 'Cats as they could get a basket to fall early in the first half. They shot 7-for-24 in the opening 20 minutes, including 0-for-8 from beyond the three-point line. Wilmington also didn't get to the line once in the first half, as the Devils made eight of its nine free trips to the line.
The Sciences didn't let their foot off the gas in the second half, as they continued to expand on their lead and reached its largest margin of 42 with 5:10 left to play.
Wilmington was led by its bench, as the Wildcats' reserves outscored the USP bench players, 24-16, for the game.
Sophomore Tianna Wagner led the Wildcats with eight points off the bench, shooting 3-for-6 and 2-for-3 from three point territory. She also grabbed two rebounds and collected two steals on the night. Courtney Coleman and Walton each chipped in six points while Walton finished with a team high five rebounds.
USP finished with three players in double figures, as freshman sensation Brianne Traub knocked in 17 points to lead all scorers. Becca Ruggear added 11 points while Sarah Hickman contributed 10. Hickman finished with a double-double as she pulled down 10 boards, a game-high.
Wilmington forced 23 turnovers and got 12 steals for the game, but gave the ball up 26 times. The Wildcats were outshot 44.3 percent to 23.5 percent, and outrebounded 49-24 on the night.
The Wildcats remain home this weekend, as they will welcome Concordia to the Pratt Center on Saturday, January 21 for a CACC matchup starting at 1 p.m.