NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University men's basketball team picked up its third win in the last four games, defeating Shippensburg, 77-67, on Tuesday afternoon in nonconference action at the WU Athletics Complex.
Including their exhibition win over University of Maryland Eastern Shore on December 21, the Wildcats (6-8 overall) have won three games in a row, and are now 3-0 on the season against PSAC foes with the victory over Shippensburg (1-9 overall). The Wildcats also defeated Millersville and Kutztown earlier this season.
On Tuesday, the Wildcats used runs at the end of each half to control the outcome, leading by 13 at the half and by as many as 21 in the second half. Despite an 11-2 run in the final two minutes by the Red Raiders, the verdict was never in doubt for the Wildcats. Wilmington only trailed once in the game, falling behind 9-8 with 14:56 left in the first half. A layup by Ta'Vaune Griffin on the ensuing possession gave the Wildcats as they never trailed again.
The deciding run started as the teams were tied at 23-23 with 7:39 left in the first half. Shaq Monroe-Gaskins hit a three-pointer to start a 7-0 run before another 8-0 run pushed the Wildcat lead to 12 at 38-26 with 2:05 remaining in the half. A pair of free throws by Dusan Kojic with 17 seconds on the clock put the Wildcats ahead 42-29 heading into the halftime break.
The Wildcats continued to extend their lead late in the second half, as they turned a seven point lead into a 73-52 advantage over a seven and a half minute stretch. Free throws were key during the 20-6 run for the Wildcats as they went 12-of-15 from the charity stripe, including a three-point play by Shai Henry to put the team up 16 with 4:13 left on the clock.
A late 13-2 run by the Red Raiders in the final two minutes brought the score to a final at a 10 point Wilmington victory, as Shippensburg hit three three-pointers down the stretch.
Wilmington had five players reach double-digits, led by Monroe-Gaskins 17 points. The senior hit three three-pointers, shooting 5-of-14 overall off the bench for the Wildcats. Henry paced the team with a double-double, scoring 10 points while adding a game high 10 rebounds.
Junior Valentino Thompson added 11 points, eight rebounds, and a game high five assists, shooting 7-of-8 from the foul line. Rashaun Rasheed chipped in with 13 points, also hitting 7-of-8 from the foul line, while Herb Dennis finished with 11 points.
The team shot 25-of-34 from the free throw line for the game, hitting 9-of-9 in the first half. The Wildcats also out-rebounded the Red Raiders, 44-31, including collecting 18 on the offensive glass.
Wilmington returns to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action when it returns to the court, hosting South Division rival Philadelphia on Wednesday, January 8 at the WU Athletics Complex. The game is the second of a CACC double-header, with an approximate tip-off at 8 p.m.
