Dover, Del. (Nov. 29, 2011) --- Freshman center Kendall Gray had 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocks to lead Delaware State to a 57-43 victory over Eastern Kentucky in Memorial Hall Tuesday evening.
The Hornets won for the second time in three games to even their record at 3-3, while the Colonels fell to 3-5.
Gray, a former Polytech (Del.) High School standout, was 7-for-9 from the field. His nine rebounds tied for game-high honors, while his five blocks gave him 20 in the last four games.
Casey Walker shared the team lead with 15 points and recorded two blocks, while Marques Oliver had 13 points (6-for-9 FG) and nine rebounds for the Hornets.
Delaware State hit just eight of its 26 first half shots (30.8%) and trailed 18-17 at the break.
The Hornets stormed out the gate in the second half, scoring the first nine points to open up a 26-18 lead. Walker had a lay-up and three-point field during the spurt.
Eastern Kentucky pulled to within 30-25 before Oliver, Gray and Tahj Tate scored on consecutive possessions to give the Hornets a 36-25 lead with 9:22 left to play.
The Colonels cut DSU's lead to 39-32 with seven minutes left, but the Hornets regained a double-digit lead when Walker hit a three-point shot and two free throws on the next two possessions.
Delaware State forced Eastern Kentucky into 10-for-30 shooting from the field (33.3%), including one-of-nine from three point territory in the second half.
The Hornets were 13-for-22 from the field (59.1%), while outscoring the Colonels 40-25 in the final 20 minutes.
Delaware State begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play this Saturday at Maryland-Eastern Shore. Game time is 4:00 p.m. in Princess Anne, Md.
STINGERS
... Delaware State's Jay Threatt was 4-for-4 at the free throw line vs. Eastern Kentucky, and is now 13-for-13 at the line this season.
... The Hornets have 38 blocks in their last four games. DSU led the MEAC, and was fifth among NCAA Division I schools in blocks at 7.8 per game entering Tuesday's contest.
... Gray led the MEAC (tied for 10th in Div. I) in blocks at 3.4 per game entering the game.
