Manchester, N.H. (November 21) -- A late Saint Anselm rally fell just short as Wilmington scored the game-winning basket with 19 seconds left for a 57-56 final in non-conference action at Stoutenburgh Gym on Saturday afternoon.

The first half featured five lead changes and neither team leading by more than five points. With the score tied at 17 with 8:18 remaining in the opening half, the Hawks used a quick 6-2 run to take the 23-19 advantage with 3:14 on the clock. After the Wildcats cut the lead down to two, a three-pointer with 45 seconds left by Epiphany Smith (Springdale, Ark.) made it a 28-23 halftime lead for the Hawks.

Saint Anselm pushed the lead up to seven in the early going of the second half before Wilmington answered with a 13-5 run. The Wildcats' run was keyed by nine points from Amelia Simmons and gave the visitors a 36-35 lead with 13:28 left. Wilmington added the next six points as well and held a 42-35 lead midway through the half.

The Hawks answered though over the next 2:54 and tied the game at 44-44 following a three-pointer from the corner by junior Jen Gureckis (Nashua, N.H.). Wilmington led by as many as five points in the final minutes of the game and held a 55-51 lead with 1:57 left. The Hawks cut into that lead on a three by Erin Higgins (Mansfield, Mass.) from the top of the key and took the lead on a baseline jumper by Gureckis with 28 seconds remaining. The lead was shortlived though as Simmons answered with a basket in the lane to give the one-point lead back to the Wildcats.

Saint Anselm had a pair of chances in the final 15.5 seconds, but had the ball stripped as time ran out as Wilmington picked up its first win of the season.

Smith led the Hawks with 13 points, while Gureckis added 10. Simmons led all scorers for Wilmington with 20 points and eight rebounds, along with 14 points by Danielle Thomas.

With the loss, the Hawks fall to 1-2 overall, while Wilmington improves to 1-2. Saint Anselm is back in action on Tuesday night, hosting Bentley for a 5:30 p.m. start.