Press Release written by Nathan Foltz

NEWARK, Del. - - The Wilmington University women's basketball team fell to California University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, as they were defeated 79-58 at the WU Athletics Complex after another solid first-half performance.

The Wildcats drop to 0-4 on the season, with all four losses coming at home. California improves to 3-4, though two of their losses have been to nationally ranked teams, including a narrow 75-71 defeat to #11 Fairmont State on Wednesday. 

Wilmington hung with Cal through the first quarter, tying the Vulcans several times before taking their first lead on an Armani Bell-Jackson three-pointer to make it 11-8. Their lead expanded to 14-10 on a Leanna Masseus layup, but the Vulcans came back with an 11-4 run to end the quarter up by three.

Reynah Rattliff and TyKeisha Hill each made a shot to give the Wildcats the lead back in the opening minute of the second, and although they lost the lead after that, they spent the next eight minutes battling back and forth to stay within reach. Cal was able to get on another run to end the quarter, though, scoring eight of the final nine points to be had before the half to go into the break up nine.

Wilmington was never able to get back into the game from there, as too many Wildcat fouls and turnovers gave the Vulcans ample opportunity to build a lead. The closest they would get was a seven-point deficit thanks to a Rattliff jumper, but the Vulcans proceeded to go on a 15-4 run and put things out of reach with only a quarter to play. The Vulcans outscored the Wildcats, 24-11, in the third quarter.

Cal was 10-of-12 from the line in the second half and dominated the Wildcats 27-9 in points off turnovers across all four quarters. Cal also had 29 fastbreak points to Wilmington's 10.

Reynah Rattliff again led the Wildcats in scoring, scoring 12 points and collecting six rebounds. TyKeisha Hill was in foul trouble for most of the game but still managed to score 10 points. Emma Brown narrowly missed out on a double-double with 10 rebounds and nine points. Samiyah McFarlane and Armani Bell-Jackson both scored eight off the bench.

Wilmington's next game will be on the road for the first time in the 2025-26 season, as they will head up to Bridgeport next Tuesday. That game is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m.