Box Score NEWARK, Del. – Women's basketball head coach Tom Shirley earned his 500th victory at Philadelphia University as the Rams defeated host Wilmington (Del.) 94-63 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) game Wednesday night.
Shirley is in his 25th season—33rd overall—as the Rams' head coach and has a record of 500-233. He has a career record of 649-306. Shirley is third in NCAA Division II history in wins.
Philadelphia has come out victorious in each of its last five games and improves to 8-3 overall. The Rams remain unblemished in CACC play with a 6-0 record.
Sophomore forward Mary Newell (Lansdale, Pa./Villa Joseph Marie) posted a career-high 19 points, on 9-of-11 shooting, and grabbed seven rebounds in the victory. Six of Newell's points came during an 18-4 run that spanned the opening 6:33 to give the Rams control of the game.
Junior guard Najah Jacobs (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) came off-the-bench to record 14 points, 11 coming after halftime. Junior guard Monica Schacker (Doylestown, Pa./Germantown Academy) netted 13 points.
Sophomore guard Bria Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Prep Charter) contributed 11 points, while senior guard Megan Finn had 10 points and a season-high eight assists.
Sophomore forward Tori Arnao (Newtown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) had 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
The Rams were red hot from the floor, finishing the game hitting 57.7 percent (30-of-52) of their attempts. It was the team's best shooting performance since knocking down 60.8 percent of its shots in a 93-44 win over Felician on Jan. 20, 2007.
Tenicia Spence led the Wildcats (4-9, 1-5 CACC) with a game-high 20 points. Tiaja Harrold added 13 points. Wilmington shot 36.2 percent (25-of-69) from the field.
Wilmington won the rebounding battle, 39-36.
Philadelphia heads to Bloomsburg for a non-conference tilt on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.
