Princess Anne, Md. (Dec. 3, 2011) --- Casey Walker led four Delaware State players in double figures with a season-high 21 points in the Hornets' 78-68 win over Maryland Eastern Shore in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener for each team at the Hytche Center today.
Delaware State won its second straight game to improve to 4-3 overall this season. The Hawks fell to 2-8.
Walker was 8-for-14 from the field, including one three-pointer, and 4-of-6 at the free throw line. He has scored 36 points in the last two games.
Marques Oliver recorded the Hornets' first "double-double" of the season, tallying season-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Oliver was 6-for-8 from the field and knocked down each of his five free throws.
Jay Threatt had 15 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals, while Tyshawn Bell came off the bench to add 13 points for the Hornets. Bell was 3-for-5 from three-point territory to improve to 10-for-18 from beyond the arc this season (.556).
Delaware State's Kendall Gray matched his career-high with a game-high six blocks. Gray has 26 blocks in the last five games. He was tops in the MEAC and fifth among all Division I players in blocks at 3.4 per-game entering the contest.
Hillary Haley came off the bench to lead the Hawks with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
The Hornets scored the first six points of the game, but was outscored 10-6 in the final 3:12 of the first half to trail 35-31 at the break.
Delaware State scored the first five points of the second half, and regained the lead 36-35 on a three-pointer by Bell with 18:54 left to play.
The teams traded baskets over the next several minutes.
UMES grabbed its final lead of the game, 43-42, when Ishaq Pitts hit two free throws with 11:35 remaining.
Bell hit a three-pointer and Walker a lay up on Delaware State's next two possessions to give the Hornets a 47-43 lead with 9:51 left.
The Hawks pulled to within three points on four occasions over the next six minutes but could get no closer.
DSU stretched its lead 67-60 on two free throws by Threatt with 2:22 left to play.
After a missed shot by UMES, Oliver gave the Hornets a 70-60 on a desperation three-pointer to beat the shot clock with 1:28 to go.
Delaware State outscored UMES 47-33 in the second half. The Hornets were 13-of-25 from the field (52.0%), while forcing the Hawks into 11-of-29 shooting (37.9%) in the final 20 minutes.
Delaware State returns to action on Tuesday (Dec. 6) at Howard. Game time is 7:00 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
STINGERS
Jay Threatt's consecutive free throw streak ended at 17 this season (20 overall) with a second half miss ... Oliver has eight "double-doubles" in his career ... Gray has at least one block in every game this season, and at least four in each the last five contests.
