The Wilmington University Wildcats on Saturday took down their CACC rivals , the Philadelphia University Rams 70-64.This is the first time in 15 games that the Wildcats have beaten the Rams.
One of the big factors in this game was the Wildcats bench that outscored the Rams bench 23-4. Wilmington also was able to score more often on Philadelphia’s turnovers then the Rams with theirs. Wildcats scored 13 points , while Rams scored 6 on turnovers.
It all started in the first half, where Wildcats have still not shaken out of this trend of starting slow. The Rams went on a quick 6-2 run in the starting minutes of the half thanks to the play of Jordan DeCicco. DeCicco had 1 steal, 1 defensive rebound and 2 points during the Rams early run.
The lead would not last, thanks to Wildcats Drew Johnson who hit a three pointer at the 16:39 mark to make it 6-5. For awhile in the first half, Wilmington would always stay close to Philadelphia but never could score at the right time to get it tied or take the lead.
Then around the 9:48 mark in the first half, Wilmington went on a 8-4 run that tied the game up 18-18. Wildcats were led by Brian Adkins who had 3 defensive rebounds and 3 points during the run.
Finally, with 2:28 left in the first half the Wildcats took their first lead in the game which was 24 to 21 thanks to a Tajee Almon layup. Wildcats would add to that lead and take a 29-23 lead into the half.
Wildcats top scorer of the first half was Tyaire Ponzo-Meek with 9 points.
Rams top scorer of the first half was Kaison Randolph with 7 points.
The Wildcats continued their hot play early in the second half, going on a 9-2 run that put the lead 39-28 with 16:47 left in the game. Tajee Almon came out of the second half putting up 7 points for Wilmington and 5 during the early run.
At the 14:22 mark in the second half, Wilmington’s Nick Richards hit a three pointer to put the Wildcats up by 10. After his three, the Wildcats would go on a 7-0 run to put the score 48-34.
Philadelphia was not going away quietly and went on their own 13-3 run that put the score 53-49. Rams Kaison Randolph scored 8 points during the run, including two three pointers.
Then it became the Tyaire Ponzo-Meek show who led the Wildcats on a 6-0 run and put the score back up to 10. Ponzo-Meek had 6 points and 2 rebounds during the run.
The Rams would just not go away and went on a 10-1 run to put the score 65-64 with 2:12 left in the game. Jordan DeCicco led the Rams with 1 assist, 1 defensive rebound and 5 points during the run.
Around the 1:48 mark in the second half, Omari Dill-Pettiford hit a layup that put the score 67-64 and then Wilmington hit their last 3 out 4 foul shots to seal the game.
Tyaire Ponzo-Meek and Nick Richards led the Wildcats in points with 17 in the game.
Kaison Randolph was Rams top scorer with 15 points in the game.
On a interesting note, Saturday was the first time in Wilmington University history that both the men’s and women’s basketball team beat Philadelphia the same day.
Wilmington ( 5-3, 1-0 CAAC) travels to USciences for another CACC match up on Tuesday night at 8 pm ET.
DE SPORTS BLITZ PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Wilmu: Tyaire Ponzo-Meek who had 17 points, 2 rebounds ( all offensive), 1 steal and went 4 for 11 at the free throw line.
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Nick Richards who had 17 points, 9 rebounds ( 7 defensive, 2 offensive) 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and went 3 for 4 from the free throw line
Philadelphia: Kaison Randolph who had 15 points, 8 rebounds ( 6 defensive, 2 offensive), 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks and went 0 for 1 at the free throw line.
This is Tyaire Ponzo-Meek’s fifth straight player of the game honor and this also Nick Richards second player of the game honor of the season.
Stats:
FG Percentage:
Wilmu: 40.6%
Philadelphia: 34.3%
Free Throw Percentage:
Wilmu: 55%
Philadelphia: 61.5%
Three Point Percentage:
Wilmu: 35%
Philadelphia: 25.8%
Rebounds:
Wilmu: 44
Philadelphia: 47
Blocks:
Wilmu: 5
Philadelphia: 3
Turnovers:
Wilmu: 7
Philadelphia: 9
Points off Turnovers:
Wilmu: 13
Philadelphia: 6
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