NEW CASTLE, Del. - - For the second game in a row the Wilmington University women's basketball team came up empty handed on a late game surge, as Concordia held off the Wildcats for a 78-71 victory on Monday night in a rescheduled Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference matchup at the Pratt Center.
Down by 15 with less than four minutes remaining in the game, Wilmington (1-17, 0-13 CACC) started to rally and eventually cut the lead in half to make it interesting down the stretch. Concordia (7-15, 6-9 CACC) saw their lead dwindle to as few as seven points, but held on for the victory.
After the Clippers missed three consecutive foul shots, a theme throughout the night, at the 3:44 mark leading 65-50, the Wildcats went on a 7-0 to cut the lead in half in just a minute and a half. Courtney Coleman got the rally started with a layup, followed by three foul shots by Erin Moore and Coleman. Moore knocked down a jumper at the 2:19 mark of the second half to make it 65-57.
The Clippers worked it back to an 11 point lead, but a three-pointer by Moore with 1:54 remaining cut the deficit to eight once again. But the Clippers were able to hit three of their next four foul shots to extend it back out to 11 with 1:19 on the clock. But a resilient Wildcat would not roll over, and Moore knocked down another three-pointer as the score was 72-64 with 1:09 to play.
Now down nine, Moore stepped to the line and both free-throws with 49 seconds remaining in regulation, getting it to within seven for the first time since the first half. But Wilmington could not get any closer, as Concordia snuck out of Pratt Center with the win.
Moore led the late game charge and finished with a double-double, collecting 14 points and 11 rebounds. Cari Callaway led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points, shooting 7-for-12 on the night. Coleman also ended in double figures, picking up 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting off the bench. Candace DeShields dished out a game-high eight assists while also chipping in with eight points and three rebounds.
The Clippers had four players in double digits, led by Mariah Berry with 20 points off the bench. She shot 7-for-11 from the field, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. She finished with a double-double, picking up 11 boards. Chanessa Blakemore also collected a double-double, finishing with 11 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Sade Jones added 18 points, while Tara Ann Rock chipped in with 12.
The game was won and lost at the foul line however, as the Clippers allowed the Wildcats to stay close by only shooting 28-for-55 from the charity stripe for the game. But the 'Cats couldn't take advantage of the opportunity and shot just 14-for-29 themselves. Concordia also make 10-of-18 from long range while the Wildcats only shot 5-for-12 from distance.
Wilmington will look to get in the win-column in the CACC on Thursday, as they take to the road once again. The Wildcats will battle Chestnut Hill on Thursday starting at 6 p.m. They close out the week with another game on the road on Saturday, heading to Nyack for an afternoon contest.