WATERVURY, Conn. - - Post hit 10 three-pointers and scored 56 points in the second half to run away with a 103-76 victory over the Wilmington University men's basketball team in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contest inside the Drubner Center on Saturday afternoon.
Wilmington's losing streak is now up to seven, with a 4-13 record against CACC opponents and 8-17 overall. Post is now 10-14 overall and 9-7 in the conference.
The first half was a fast-paced, high-scoring affair, with the two teams combining for 93 points. Things weren't looking good for the Wildcats early on, as they found themselves down by 11 less than six minutes into the game. Neither team really got into any sort of consistent rhythm over the next ten minutes, but then all of a sudden, Wilmington's offense exploded for a 17-2 run in only 2:37 of game time. Zavion Bianchini gave Wilmington its first lead of the game at 39-38, while Jaylin Horsey, playing in his first game since January 29, bookended the run with three free throws to start and a three-ball at the end to give the Wildcats a 42-38 lead. Post outscored Wilmington 9-4 to end the half, giving the Eagles a one-point edge, 47-46, at the break.
The Wildcats took a three-point lead at the 15:40 mark of the second half on a Bianchini and-one, but while Post kept on scoring from there, Wilmington's offense sputtered to a stop. The Eagles scored 16 unanswered points in the next three and a half minutes, sending the Wildcats into a 13-point deficit they would never recover from. Post's lead slowly grew over the rest of the game, as they dropped 56 points in the second half to dwarf Wilmington's 30 points of production.
Wilmington's rebounding woes resurfaced, as they were dominated in that department 41-25. On a positive note, they shot 83.3% (10-12) from the line and 40.0% (8-20) from distance, marking the best and second-best rates, respectively, over their last eleven games.
Tre Hawkins led Wildcat scorers with 19 points, while Jaylin Horsey provided a bit of a jolt to the offense with 13 of his own. Jaiden Guy and Justin Perez each had 11 as well. Hawkins led the rebounding effort with seven boards, while Denim Perkins dished out six assists.
The Wildcats play all of their final three regular-season games at home, with the next contest coming on Tuesday against Holy Family. That game will tip at approximately 8:00 p.m. following the women's game.