Dover, Del. (Dec. 1, 2009) --- Senior Frisco Sandidge led three players in double figures with a career-high 26 points in Delaware State's 75-67 win over the Delaware Blue Hens in the first meeting between the state's two Division I men's basketball programs since 2000 in Memorial Hall Tuesday evening. The Hornets won their second straight to improve to improve to 4-1 on the season, while Delaware dropped its third in a row to fall to 1-5.

The Hornets also snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Hens. Delaware had won each meeting since Delaware State prevailed in the first contest between the schools in 1991.

"This is a great win for our guys and the university," said Delaware State head coach Greg Jackson, who improved to 1-1 vs. Delaware. "I thought we had a good game plan, and the players executed extremely well, especially in the second half. Frisco really came up big for us. I thought we had a favorable match-up with him inside, and he really carried us. I'm really proud of our kids for stepping up against a solid Delaware team."

Sandidge was seven-for-13 from the field, and 12-of-16 at the free throw line. His previous DSU high was 21 points in three games.  

"I just tried to establish myself inside to give us a chance to win," said Sandidge. "I thought our defensive intensity was really strong in the second half. The coaches have been preaching defense all season long, and its really paying off."

The score tied at 34 before the Hornets took control. Alibaba Odd knocked down a three-pointer to give Delaware State a 37-34 lead with 11:28 left to play. The Hornets opened up a 44-38 lead on a jumper by Sandidage with 8:38 remaining. 

The Hens pulled to within three on three occasions, the last time after a three-pointer by D.J. Boney made it a 57-54 game with 2:42 left to play. Odd and Sandidge hit two free throws each during the next 80 seconds to stretch DSUs lead to 61-54.

Delaware State opened up its biggest lead on two free throws by Neal with 20 seconds left.   

The Hornets hit 18 of 21 free throws in the final 2:57 of the game.

Delaware State started fast, hitting its first three shots. The Hornets opened up an 8-1 lead on a three-point play by Alibaba Odd with 18:23 left in the first half.

Delaware answered with a 10-1 run, and pulled ahead 11-9 on a lay up by Jamelle Hagins with 11:45 remaining in the half. Delaware State misfired on each of its nine shots, and committed three turnovers during the Blue Hen spurt.

The Hornets responded by hitting five of their next seven shots, and opened up a 19-12 lead on a lay up by Frisco Sandidge with 6:53 left in the half.

Delaware hit three three-point shots during the next two minutes to highlight a 13-4 run to end the half with a 25-23 lead.

The Hens were 9-for-22 from the field in the first half (40.9%), while the Hornets hit just 10- of-26 shots (38.5%) in the opening 20 minutes.

Hagins was Delaware high scorer with eight points at the break. Delaware State's Sandidge led all players with nine points at intermission.

Neal added 16 points for the Hornets to notch his fifth-straight double-figure game of the season. Odd matched his career-high with 15 points. He was 3-for-3 from the field and 8-of-10 at the free throw line. Jay Threatt led the Hornets with six assists and four steals. 

Hagins led Delaware with 18 points and 13 rebounds. He was seven of 11 from the field. Jawan Carter added 12 points for the Hens.

Delaware State will begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play this Saturday at Maryland-Eastern Shore. Tip-off is 4:00 p.m. in Princess Anne, Md.

STINGERS

- Freshmen Alibaba Odd and Marques Oliver had their first career starts for Delaware State. 

- The Hornets were 10 of 17 from the field (58.8%) and 28 of 37 from the free throw line (75.7%) in the second half. Delaware was 18 for 25 from the floor (72%) and 4 of 9 at the line after intermission.