Brookings, S.D. (Dec. 18, 2012) --- The Delaware State women's basketball team erased a 16-point first half deficit before halftime, but ran out steam in a 72-57 loss to South Dakota State in the first-ever meeting between the schools at Frost Arena this evening.
The Lady Hornets trailed 21-5 after a Jackrabbit basket with 13:11 left in the first half.
Delaware State (2-7) answered with a 25-9 spurt and tied the game at 30-30 on a lay-up by Jade Washington with 3:02 left in the half. Tierra Hawkins scored nine points and Keyanna Tate six during the Lady Hornet run.
The DSU spurt began when Hawkins hit a free throw and Deanna Harmon scored on a follow-up basket on the Lady Hornets' next possession to cut SD State's lead to 21-8.
After the Jackrabbits opened up a 23-8 lead, DSU responded by scoring 12 of the next 15 points to pull to within single-digits. Harmon hit two free throws with 5:16 left in the half to cut the deficit to 26-20.
After Delaware State fought back to tie the game at 30, S.D. State (7-5) outscored the Lady Hornets 9-2 during the remainder of the half to hold a 39-32 lead at the break.
The Lady Hornets scored the first points of the second half on a lay up by Harmon to cut the Jackrabbits' lead to 39-34. SD State ran off the next six points to pull ahead 45-34.
Delaware State would close to within seven points (45-38) on a lay-in by Hawkins with 16:59 left to play.
That's as close as DSU would get the rest of the way.
Hawkins came off the bench to lead DSU with 15 points. Tate recorded her first double-double at Delaware State, tallying 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Harmon also scored 10 points for the Lady Hornets.
Hawkins has led Delaware State in scoring in six of the team's nine games. Tate has reached double figures in rebounds in two of the last three games. She's second behind Hawkins on the Lady Hornets in rebounding at 6.4 per game. Washington led DSU with five assists, giving her 11 in the last two games.
S.D. State's Ashley Eide led all players with 25 points (7-11 FGs). Leah Dietel added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Jackrabbits.
Delaware State was 20-for-59 from the field (33.9%), including two-of-six from three-point territory.
South Dakota State had 18 field goals on 49 attempts (36.7%). The Jackrabbits were 4-of-16 from three-point range.
Free throws were a factor in the contest. SD State was 32-for-37 at the line (86.5%), while the Lady Hornets went to the line 20 times, hitting 15 (75.0%).
Delaware State returns to action on Friday (Dec. 21) at Towson.
