Dover (Jan. 10, 2009) --- Delaware State outscored South Carolina State 28-0 in bench points en route to a 62-49 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball win in Memorial Hall Saturday.
The Lady Hornets won for the third time in the last four games to improve to 5-9 overall and 2-0 in the MEAC. The Lady Bulldogs dropped their third straight to fall to 3-9 and 0-1.
Freshman Sonia Johnson was the only Delaware State player in double figures with 10 points. The Lady Hornets had scoring from 12 of the 13 players who appeared in the contest. Kristin Johnson and Marie Reid led South Carolina State with 15 points each, while Sophilia Hipps added 12.
Delaware State's reserves played a total of 75 minutes, compared to 33 for South Carolina State. Four Lady Bulldog starters played at least 37 minutes.
Delaware State opened up a 17-7 lead on a jumper by Jameka Smith with 10:23 left in the first half. Alexis Abraham capped off a 17-3 run with a three-pointer to give the Lady Hornets a 34-13 lead with 4:37 to go before halftime.
Delaware State led 39-20 at the break.
There were some anxious moments for the Lady Hornets in the second half, as South Carolina State attempted a comeback.
The Lady Hornets led 47-27 before the Bulldogs made a run. South Carolina State scored 17 of the next 22 points, and pulled to within 52-44 on a free throw by Raina Chambers with 9:51 left to play.
Keyhana Wakefield and Johnson hit consecutive baskets to give Delaware State a 58-46 lead with 3:52 remaining. South Carolina State could get no closer than nine the rest of the way.
“I was pleased with our aggressive play in the first half,” said Delaware State head coach Ed Davis, who improved to 98-45 in MEAC regular season games. “We didn't respond as well to South Carolina State's pressure in the second half, but we made some big plays down the stretch to hold on. We don't have one or two big scorers, so we have to get contributions from a lot of players if we are to be successful.”
South Carolina State was the better shooting team in the game.
Delaware State was 25-for-68 from the field (36.8%), including 2-of-13 from three?point territory. The Lady Hornets were 10-for-15 at the free throw line.
South Carolina hit 19-of-35 shots from the field (54.3%), including 5-for-7 from beyond the arc (71.4%).
Turnovers were key in the contest. Delaware State committed a season-low 12 turnovers, while South Carolina State had 32.
The Lady Hornets also won the rebound battle, 33-31.
South Carolina State first-year head coach Doug Robertson was an assistant under Davis at Delaware State from 2000 to 2005. Robertson also served as an assistant for Davis from 1994 to '99 at Bowie State (Md.).
Delaware State will return to action on Monday at home against Winston-Salem State. Game time is 5:30 p.m. South Carolina State will take on Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday in its next outing.
