One word to describe Wilmington University’s 91-74 win over CACC opponent Chestnut Hill Griffins is Defense. Wilmington’s Defense had timely stops, 10 blocks, 9 steals, caused 18 turnovers and had 26 defensive rebounds in the game.
Not to mention a record was broken in the game by Wilmington’s Tajee Almon who broke the team’s single game record in blocks with 9 against Chestnut Hill. Almon broke Allen Hairston’s mark of 7 blocks that was set on December 17, 2008 at Bloomsburg.
It all started in the first half where in the early minutes of the game the two teams were trading buckets and trading the lead every other possession. The two teams would continue do that most of the first half until near the end where Chestnut Hill’s Ed McWade scored four points to put the Griffins up by 2 at the half.
Nick Richards led the Wildcats in the first half with 12 points.
Tajee Almon had 5 blocks in the first half for the Wildcats.
Chestnut Hill’s Demetrius Isaac led the team with 14 points in the first half.
In the early second half this looked like it would be a close finish for the win but that was not in Wilmington’s plans. The defense came out tighter in the second half causing 9 turnovers and came up with five steals.
Nick Richards had a big layup and a three pointer around the 17:00 minute mark that put the Wildcats up 48-44 and they would never lose they lead after that.
The Griffins would close the gap on Wilmington by 59-56 score around the 11:42 mark, thanks to back to back three pointers by Chris Evans and Billy Miller.
The Wildcats would answer right back with their own back to back three’s by Brian Adkins and Drew Johnson. Also, Adkins had a sweet dunk to finish off Wilmington’s response.
After that Chestnut Hill would only climb within five points of the lead the rest of the way and at one point Wilmington’s lead would escalate to 17.
Four of the five starters for Wilmington hit double digits in points against Chestnut Hill and they were Nick Richards (30), Drew Johnson (22), Tyaire Ponzo-Meek (15) and Omari Dill-Pettiford (12).
Ponzo-Meek went past Herbert Dennis on Wilmington’s all-time list for steals with 145 after having 3 vs Chestnut Hill. The guard also dished out 10 assists which has been the most by a Wilmington player since Valentino Thompson in 2014, who also had 10.
Wilmington (7-5, 3-1 CACC) plays in-state CACC rival Goldey Beacom Sunday at 3pm ET.
Wilmington and Goldey Beacom will be honoring the Delaware firefighters that lost their lives in 2016 during the game.
DE SPORTS BLITZ PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Wildcats: Nick Richards who had 30 points, 6 rebounds ( 4 defensive, 2 offensive), 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and was 4 for 5 from the free throw line.
Chestnut Hill: Demetrius Isaac who had 21 points, 3 rebounds ( 2 defensive, 1 offensive) 3 assists and was 4 for 4 from the free throw line.
This is Nick Richards fifth player of the game honor this season.
Stats:
FG Percentage:
Wildcats: 55.2%
Chestnut Hill: 40%
Free Throw Percentage:
Wildcats: 77.8%
Chestnut Hill:88.3%
Three Point Percentage:
Wildcats: 43.5%
Chestnut Hill: 47.4%
Rebounds:
Wildcats: 37
Chestnut Hill: 36
Blocks:
Wildcats: 10
Chestnut Hill: 3
Turnovers:
Wildcats:15
Chestnut Hill: 13
Points off Turnovers:
Wildcats:25
Chestnut Hill: 10
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