Dover (Jan. 6, 2009) --- Freshman Sonia Johnson scored a career-high 22 points, including the game-winning basket with 16 seconds left, and Keyhana Wakefield added 17 to lead Delaware State to a 59-57 women's basketball win over UMES in Memorial Hall Tuesday evening.
The contest marked the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener for each team.
The score was 57-57 when Johnson hit a lay-up off a feed by Cortney Crockett for the game-winning basket.
Maryland-Eastern Shore had the final shot, but Casey Morton missed a short jumper and Delaware State's Thea Littlepage grabbed the rebound as time expired.
The game featured 12 lead changes and 10 ties.
Maryland-Eastern Shore led 47-42 after two free throws by Morton with 7:56 left to play. The Lady Hornets scored the next five points, and tied the score at 47 on a jumper by Crockett with 4:59 remaining.
There were six lead changes and three ties in the last 3:53 of the game. Wakefield scored 10 straight points for the Lady Hornets, giving DSU the lead on each of her four baskets down the stretch.
“This was a good win for us because we've struggled at making big plays down the stretch all season,” said Delaware State head coach Ed Davis, who improved to 97-45 in MEAC regular season contests. “Sonia showed tonight why we are so high on her and it was great that Keyhana stepped up in the clutch. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come as we work our way through the MEAC season.”
Johnson was 7-for-15 from the field, including one three-pointer, and 7-of-9 at the free throw line. She also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. The Newport News, Va., native scored 15 points in the first half to lead the Lady Hornets to a 32-28 lead at the break.
UMES pulled ahead for the first time in the second half, 39-38, on a three-pointer by Jasmine Speed with 13:36 left to play.
Delaware State was 19-for-49 from the field (38.8%) and 2-of-4 from the three-point territory. The Lady Hornets were 19-for-25 at the free throw line (76%). DSU entered the contest shooting 59.3% from the line.
Maryland-Eastern Shore hit 17-of-54 shots from the field (31.5%), including 5-of-19 from beyond the arc. The Hawks were 18-for-24 from the line.
April McBride led UMES with 15 points. She was just 3-for-10 from the field, but hit 9-of-10 shots from the line.
Delaware State won for the second time in three games to improve to 4-9 overall. UMES dropped its second straight to fall to 2-8 on the season.
DSU returns to action this Saturday at home against South Carolina State. Game time is 2:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
