DOVER, DE – The Cavaliers whittled a 16 point deficit to just five points in the game's final minute, but Wesley attempted 12 of its 50 free throws in the final 61 seconds, to top Cabrini 105-98.
The loss sends the Blue and White to 5-17 overall and 3-6 in the Atlantic East Conference. With just three games left in the regular season, Cabrini holds a one game lead over Neumann, its opponent next Wednesday, for the sixth and final playoff spot.
Freshman
Voshon Mack and
Anthony Wright-Downing provided the offensive spark for the Cavaliers, combining for 62 points on 26-28 shooting.
Wright-Downing reached a career milestone in the loss, as the senior entered tonight's action needing just five points to reach the 1,000 career point plateau for his collegiate career. The senior needed just six minutes to reach the mark, finishing the night with 30 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
Mack paired a career high 32 points with a game high 13 rebounds, while senior
Alsmith Saintilus added 16 points. Senior
Ivan Robinson handed out a career best 10 assists.
The Wolverines grabbed control of the action in the game's early minutes, scoring the first eight points of the contest. Wesley pushed its lead to double figures less than four minutes after the opening whistle.
Cabrini pulled within six points midway through the opening stanza, as senior
Anthony Linder-Creo's steal led to a Wright-Downing lay-up. Wesley had a response of its own, extending its lead to 48-32 at the 4:48 mark, before carrying a 55-41 lead into the halftime break.
The Blue and White wasted little time climbing back into the game, using an 18-7 spurt to cut its deficit to 62-59 with 14:49 to play. The Wolverines again had an answer, as a 10-1 spurt re-established a 12 point lead for the home team.
Trailing 97-84 with 2:38 to play, the Cavaliers mounted one final comeback attempt. A 7-0 run sliced Cabrini's deficit to 97-91 after a pair of Wright-Downing free throws, but the Wolverines went 9-12 at the charity stripe to seal the win.
Junior Brian Cameron scored 34 points to lead five Wolverines (11-11, 6-5 Atlantic East) in double figure scoring, while senior Evan Anderson added 22 points.
The Cavaliers will look to snap their four game listing streak on Saturday, as they visit Immaculata (10-13, 4-6 Atlantic East). Game time is slated for 3pm.