BEXLEY — The Wilmington College women’s basketball team shot an ice-cold 26.2 percent from the field and 11.1 percent from beyond the three-point arc in a 61-51 loss Saturday at Capital University.
Neither team led by more than a basket in the early going until the Crusaders scored on three consecutive possession to lead 14-8. The Fightin’ Quakers, which trailed 17-12 after one quarter and by as many as nine (26-17) early in the second, locked down defensively to cut the deficit.
Wilmington held Capital scoreless from the field for over six minutes, and an old-fashioned three-point play from Kelis Jones tied the game 27-27 late in the second quarter. Emma Burns scored two of her 15 points and Kennedy Lewis hit two free throws to end the half.
The Crusaders scored the first six points of the third quarter, but the Quakers wouldn’t let the deficit get any larger as the entire 10-minute session was played within a five-point window. Leading 41-40 after 30 minutes, Capital once again scored the first six points of the quarter, forcing a Quaker timeout from interim head coach Janel Blankespoor. A Burns triple that followed gave the Crusaders a double-digit lead, 52-42, with 4:50 to play in regulation.
Wilmington didn’t pack it in, however, as a Lewis three-pointer followed by four consecutive McKayla Binkley points got the visitors within a possession (52-49) with 2:20 left. Empty possession for both teams followed, and Elise Carpenter got an offensive rebound and was fouled. Two made free throws followed, but Burns, once again, answered with a layup to put Capital back up three (54-51). CU scored the final nine points to seal the win.
McKayla Binkley led all scorers with 16 points and seven rebounds while Michelle Lee and Hannah Binkley chipped in nine and eight points respectively.
Wilmington (3-3) faces Marietta College for a pair of games this weekend.
