NEWARK, Del. - - The 2025-26 season started with a 78-56 loss for the Wilmington University women's basketball team, falling to reigning East Coast Conference Champions Daemen on Friday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex at the WilmU Tip-Off Tournament.
The length of Daemen gave the Wildcats (0-1) fits all afternoon, turning the ball over 47 times, with most coming against the full court press in the first half, and 10 blocked shots. But the Wildcats hung around for a bit, as Daemen only shot 2-of-21 from three-point territory and just 10-of-31 from the foul line.
Daemen, who won a game in the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament last year and is receiving votes in the WBCA Preseason National Poll, started off with six quick points on Friday, using the full court press. The Wildcats settled into the quarter though and used a 7-0 run to take the lead. TyKeisha Hill started the run with a layup and then Emma Brown put in an offensive rebound. Bene Butler then hit a three-pointer on their next possession, grabbing a 9-8 lead midway through the first quarter. Daemen responded with a 5-0 run of their own though, taking the lead for good. The Wildcats were down, 16-11, after the first quarter.
Emma Brown scored two from the foul line to start the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 16-13, but then Daemen went ona. 13-2 run, taking a 29-15 lead midway through the frame. Another 11-0 run gave Daemen a 40-17 lead and then they took a 42-21 lead into the halftime break.
Daemen scored the first six points and the last six points of the third quarter, winning the quarter, 17-5, to take a 59-26 lead into the fourth quarter.
Freshman Reynah Rattliff scored seven straight points for the Wildcats in the fourth quarter and then Armani Bell-Jackson scored the final five points as the Wildcats won the fourth quarter 20-19.
Armani Bell-Jackson scored 11 points off the bench for the Wildcats, adding two steals. Reynah Ratliff scored nine points in her collegiate debur, adding three steals and two assists. TyKeisha Hill finished with seven points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots.
The Wildcats are back in action on Saturday, as the WilmU Tip-Off Tournament continues at the WU Athletics Complex. They will play the District of Columbia starting at 1:00 p.m.
