BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - Wilmington University women's basketball put together a strong defensive effort and were tied at halftime, but a difficult third quarter proved costly in a 57–43 setback to Bridgeport on Tuesday evening at Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) play.
The Wildcats held Bridgeport to a 34.8 percent shooting percentage for the game, and just 4-for-25 from three-point land. But the Wildcats lost the battle on the board, 52-34, allowing 23 offensive rebounds to get away, turning into 15 second-chance points. They also led, 40-18, in points in the paint on Tuesday night.
Offensively, the Wildcats found rhythm through Sparkle Leigh, who continued her strong start to the season with timely scoring bursts. Leigh's three-pointer from the left wing midway through the first quarter sparked a Wilmington surge, and her assertiveness carried into the second period. A transition jumper from Leigh and a smooth pull-up from Reynah Rattliff helped the Wildcats build a 21–17 advantage entering the final minute of the half.
Bridgeport tied the game before intermission, but Wilmington walked into the locker room encouraged. The Wildcats had controlled large stretches of the first 20 minutes, winning the battle on the glass and dictating the game's tempo.
The momentum, however, shifted dramatically in the third quarter. Wilmington went cold from the field, unable to convert despite generating quality looks. Bridgeport capitalized on the drought, turning offensive rebounds and turnovers into points during a 12–1 run that pushed the Purple Knights ahead by double digits.
Still, the Wildcats did not fold. Hill fought for key rebounds to slow the run, and Armani Bell-Jackson provided a spark off the bench with a deep three late in the quarter. Leigh and Hill continued to battle inside the arc, working to claw the Wildcats back within reach early in the fourth.
But Bridgeport answered each Wilmington push, often through Jaelyn Choi, whose perimeter shooting helped the hosts maintain control down the stretch.
Leigh led Wilmington with 14 points, showing both poise and toughness throughout the night. Hill added 10 points and eight rebounds, anchoring the interior. Rattliff filled the box score with five points, four assists, four rebounds, and four steals, continuing to emerge as a two-way presence.
The Wildcats return to action on Monday night when they travel to Kutztown for a nonconference battle. The opening tip is set for 5:30 p.m. on the road.