NEW ALBANY, IN – Moments after taking a late lead, the Wilmington College women's basketball surrendered a 12-0 run as they fell to NAIA Indiana University-Southeast Saturday, 60-56, in non-conference action. Wilmington falls to 0-2 on the season against NAIA teams.
"Our two NAIA losses came against teams, who are in the same conference, who were picked first and second," said Wilmington head coach Jerry Scheve. "I'm not discouraged losing to two very good basketball teams. I am happy with a lot of things that we did today. We rebounded as well as we have all season long, took care of the ball and cut down on our fouls; the things we need to do to be successful."
After making just two three-pointers over the first 35 minutes, the host Grenadiers hit three triples during the game deciding run. IU-Southeast made just 5-of-20 from beyond the arc on the game, but they made them when it counted.
Wilmington struggled with the IUS size inside as the WC frontcourt was just 7-of-27 from the field and the Grenadiers recorded 12 blocks. It was the most blocks by a WC opponent this season. Nine of the IUS blocks came in the first half as the Fightin' Quakers shots just 23 percent over the first 20 minutes.
"Obviously we struggled to score in the first half," said Scheve. "Our defense was good, holding a team that averaged 78 points to just 60."
Despite the first half shooting woes, Wilmington trailed by just six points at the break.
The Grenadiers put some space between them and their visitors with a 13-3 run early in the second half, pushing the WC deficit to 14 points. As quick as IUS appeared to have seized control of the control, Wilmington – behind sophomore Brittaney Jefferson (Dayton, OH/Chaminade Julienne) – got back into the contest.
Wilmington scored 10 straight points with Jefferson responsible for half of them to trim WC's deficit to just four. The 10-0 spurt was a part of a 21-4 run capped by back-to-back three-pointers by Jefferson and senior Courtney Tucker (Cincinnati, OH/Sycamore) that gave Wilmington a three-point lead with four minutes left.
However, IUS got hot from beyond the arc in the waning minutes to secure the victory.
Junior Ashley Andracki (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) and Jefferson scored 12 points each to lead Wilmington. Andracki added a team-high three steals. Sophomore Mary Moyer (Martinsville, OH/Clinton-Massie) pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds with eight points.
"Their seniors made plays down the stretch," said Scheve.
Wilmington (7-4), losers in four of five games, returns to the hardwood 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Heidelberg.