PIKE CREEK, DE - Freshman guard Curtis Hopkins' only shot of the game - a 3-pointer from the left wing - sparked a momentum-changing, 8-0 run that lifted Goldey-Beacom College past crosstown rival Wilmington University at the Joseph West Jones Center Tuesday night. Classmate Marcus Porter scored a team-best 19 points and postgraduate forward Rich Flemming was potent inside, scoring 18 points and corralling 13 rebounds as the Lightning improved to 9-7 overall and 6-2 in Central Atlantic Conference play. A 3-pointer by sophomore guard A.J. Picard nearly six minutes into the second half capped a 16-1 run by the home team, opening up a game-best 47-31 lead. But the Wildcats - who were led by senior guard Corye Payton's game-high 23 points and six boards - chiseled away, outscoring the hosts 23-8 to inch within a single point at 55-54 with less than six minutes to go. Cutris Hopkins, who stepped up and knocked down his contested shot from beyond the arc. Flemming followed with a traditional 3-point play and the Lightning was back in control, never allowing Wilmington within six points the rest of the way. In a first half that featured zero fouls over the first 11:14, Goldey bolted out to a 15-2 lead before the Wildcats countered with a 21-4 spell to grab their largest advantage of the night, 23-19, on a corner three from senior forward Matt King (12 points, five rebounds). The Lightning closed out the half with a 12-4 surge to seize the lead for good at 31-27. Picard contributed 14 points for the winners, draining three of his five 3-point attempts and converting all three free throws after having been fouled on another trey attempt. Playmaker Jordan Brooks (10 points, five assists) connected on both of his long-range shots on the evening as his team shot a potent 55.6% from beyond the arc (10-18).
Goldey-Beacom shot better overall (44%-39%) and fared better at the foul line (19-27 to 15-25), while also pulling down more rebounds (38-34) in sweeping the season series from the 'Cats. The Lightning, who are tied with Chestnut Hill for second place in the CACC South, have little time to enjoy the victory as they will take on first-place Philadelphia University on the road Thursday night at 8:00. 




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