ARLINGTON, Virginia - Marymount University outscored the Wilmington College men's basketball team 18-7 over the final six minutes in a come-from-behind 72-68 victory over the Fightin' Quakers on Saturday afternoon.
Marymount (2-0) took an 8-2 lead in the early going, but Wilmington took back the lead on a Kevin Lewis Dunk at the 9:22 mark of the first half, making the score 13-11. Neither team would lead by more than four points in the first half as a Lewis three-pointer in the final seconds gave the Quakers a slim 32-31 lead at halftime.
The early portion of the second half continued the pattern of the first half with neither team being able to separate past four points. Jumpers from BJ Hamilton and DaeShawn Jackson at the 11:09 and 10:15 marks of the second half broke that streak however, putting Wilmington on top 50-43. Marymount would get within four points in three separate occasions, but the Quakers kept the advantage as Jackson converted the old-fashioned, three-point play to give the visitors a 61-54 lead with 6:33 to play.
Then came Marymount's run. The Saints took a 64-62 lead with 3:53 to go on a dunk from Ibrahim Kamara, but Abdul Kanu answered with a layup on the next possession to tie the game 64-64. The hosts then used a quick 6-1 spurt over the next two minutes and rode the two-possession lead to victory. Wilmington had a chance to tie it two seconds left after Steve Etienne missed a free throw, but Jackson's three-point heave was off target.
"It was a very competitive and high-level game today," Head Men's Basketball Coach K.C. Hunt said. "We did a lot of really good things to put ourselves in a position to win, but made a few too many mistakes down the stretch."
Both teams finished just over 40 percent shooting from the field with Marymount making three more field goals. Wilmington countered with three more triples made (7-4), but the Saints made 18-of-30 (60 percent) from the free throw line compared to just 5-of-10 for the Quakers. The hosts also won the rebounding battle 48-41.
Individually, Lewis scored 20 points while also grabbing nine rebounds to lead the Quakers. Jackson added 19 off the bench for Wilmington while Kanu finished with six points and eight rebounds.
"Kevin [Lewis] and Dae[Shawn Jackson] were both tremendous today," said Hunt. "They were relentless with their effort and attack style."
Etienne poured in 20 points off the bench for Marymount while Kamara added a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Wilmington (1-1) will face Trinity University (Texas) in tomorrow's (Sunday) consolation after Trinity fell to Christopher Newport University 67-51.