Towson, Md. (Dec. 21, 2012) --- A solid first half by the Delaware State women's basketball team was overshadowed by cold shooting the rest of the way in a 69-61 loss at Towson this evening. The Lady Hornets were outscored 34-21 in the final 20 minutes after holding a 40-35 lead at intermission.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Towson, which improved to 5-5 on the season. DSU dropped its fifth straight to fall to 2-8.
The DSU loss also overshadowed a career performance by junior guard Jade Washington, who had a team-high 18 points. Washington was 6-for-9 from the field, including two three-pointers.
Tierra Hawkins added 15 points for DSU, her eighth double-figure scoring game of the season.
Towson's Ciara Webb led all players with 22 points. She was 7-of-11 from the field, including three-for-five from three-point territory, and 5-of-5 at the free throw line.
Tanisha McTiller added 20 points for the Tigers.
The Lady Hornets shook off a slow start to hold a five-point lead at the half.
Towson hit five of its first seven shots, and opened up an 11-2 lead on a jumper by Ciara Webb with 17:04 left in the half.
The Tigers led 28-15 before the Lady Hornets stormed back. Washington capped off a 14-0 DSU run with a running jumper in the lane to give the Lady Hornets their first lead, 29-28, with 4:57 left in the half.
Delaware State was four-for-six from the field (one three-pointer) and five-of-seven at the free throw line, while Towson misfired on four shots from the floor and committed four turnovers during the Lady Hornet spurt.
DSU finished the first half on a high note after falling behind 35-34. Uchechi Ahaiwe scored from down low on back-to-back possessions and Deanna Harmon hit a lay-up off a steal by Tasia Bristow with nine seconds left to give the Lady Hornets a 40-35 lead at the break.
Washington led DSU with 16 points at the half. She was 5-for-5 from the field, including two three-pointers, and 4-of-5 at the free throw line in the first 20 minutes.
Tierra Hawkins had 10 first half points (5-7 FGs) for DSU, which shot 57.7% from the field (15-for-26) in the opening frame.
After Towson grabbed a 42-41 lead early in the second half, Delaware State ran off six straight points to regain a five-point lead. Keyanna Tate capped off the run with a follow-up basket to give the Lady Hornets a 47-42 lead with 14:15 left in the second half.
The Tigers answered with a 10-0 spurt, and pulled ahead 52-47 on a turnaround jumper by Michelle Peebles with 11:12 left to play.
DSU trailed 60-52 after a Towson basket with 8:10 remaining, but pulled to within 63-59 on a lay-up by Tate with 3:06 left. The Lady Hornets would score just two points the rest of the way.
Delaware State hit just 8-of-28 second half shots (28.6%).
The Lady Hornets return to action on Dec. 28 against Wisconsin in the Miami (Fla.) Holiday Tournament.
