NEWARK, Del. - - Chestnut Hill scored the first eight points of the game and never trailed, opening Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play with a 71-32 victory over the Wilmington University women's basketball team on Wednesday night at the WU Athletics Complex.
Chestnut Hill (3-3, 1-0 CACC) turned 20 Wilmington (0-7, 0-1 CACC) turnovers into 24 points at the other end and the Wildcats only shot 18.2 percent from the floor for the game.
Daja Claiborne put in a layup with 2:47 left in the first quarter but then the Griffins scored the final six points of the quarter for a 21-7 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
Trinity Brittingham hit a three-pointer early in the second quarter, but then the Griffins went on an 8-1 run to take their first 20-point lead of the game, 31-11, with 3:23 to play before the half. The lead grew to 22 as the Griffins scored at the buzzer, taking a 38-16 lead into the lockerroom.
The third quarter was the best of the night for the Wildcats, as Aniyah Bond led the way with eight points and four rebounds in the quarter. The Wildcats hit four three-pointers in the third quarter, but the Griffins still won the quarter, 19-16, to take a 57-32 lead into the final frame.
The Wildcats shot 0-for-17 from the floor in the fourth quarter, as the Griffins went on to win the CACC opener, 71-32.
Aniyah Bond led the Wildcats with eight points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists off the bench. Cha'Nyah Dunston-Mason and Trinity Brittingham each hit a pair of three-pointers as well, scoring six points each. Brittingham had three steals and a blocked shot as well. LeAnna Masseus tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.
The Wildcats step back outside the CACC for their next four games, starting on Saturday with a nonconference game against Bluefield State at the WU Athletics Complex. The Wildcats and Big Blue tip off at 1:00 p.m.
