Boxscore
NEW CASTLE, Del. – The Goldey-Beacom College men's basketball team earned a 77-67 victory over cross-town rival Wilmington University on Wed. night at the Pratt Center led by senior swingman Sam McDuffie's game-highs of 23 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.
McDuffie came off the bench to shoot 7-for-10 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line to help the Lightning capture their third straight victory in this intense intra-state rivalry. He was supported by frontcourt classmate Terrence Parkes (15 points, nine rebounds) and guards Jon Crawford (12) and Darnell Cephas (11 on 4-of-6 shooting).
GBC improved to 10-7 overall and 6-2 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference with the win while Wilmington fell to 6-10 overall and 4-4 in the league.
The Lightning overcame a seven-point, first-half deficit to snare a 35-31 halftime lead courtesy of 11 and 10 points by Cephas and McDuffie, respectively, and a buzzer-beating jump-shot from the elbow by Parkes, who finished with eight in the half.
The Wildcats had other ideas after play resumed, churning out the first 10 points of the second half, highlighted by three-pointers from Ed Freeman (13 points, six rebounds, three assists). Back came Goldey-Beacom, though, and five lead changes occurred over the next five minutes until a 10-2 run flipped a 51-48 deficit into a 58-53 Lightning lead with 9:33 to go.
A three-pointer by Wilmington's Corye Payton (14 points off the bench) tied things up at 58-58 with 8:39 on the clock, but two Crawford free-throws 17 seconds later began a 10-2 spurt that gave the Lightning the lead for good at 68-60 with 2:48 to play.
GBC never let Wilmington within six points down the stretch, mostly thanks to the Lightning's 7-of-8 performance at the foul line over the final 37 seconds. They shot better from the field (49-percent to 42-percent) for the night and made a major difference at the line (18-of-23 to 4-of-9). All the other stats were just about even.
In other CACC action tonight, previous CACC South Division leader Philadelphia University was knocked off at the Gallagher Center by Chestnut Hill, 74-61. Therefore, by virtue of tonight's win, Goldey-Beacom moves back into first place in the division. Wilmington is now tied for third place.
