Coral Gables, Fla. (Dec. 28, 2012) --- Despite a game-high 21 points by Tierra Hawkins, the Delaware State University women's basketball team fell to Big Ten Wisconsin 83-54 in the opening game of the University of Miami Holiday Tournament at the Bank United Center this evening.
Morgan Paige led four Wisconsin players in double-figures with 17 points. Jackie Gulczynski added 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Badgers, who improved to 8-4 this season.
Hawkins was eight-for-15 from the field for DSU. It was her ninth double-figure scoring game of the season, and fourth with 20-or-more points. She also tied for team-high honors with six rebounds.
Hawkins leads the Lady Hornets in scoring at 17.5 points per game this season.
Tasia Bristow was the only other Delaware State player in double figures with 14 points. Her performance was highlighted by three three-point field goals.
The contest was tightly played for much of the first half. There were seven lead changes and three ties in the first 11-and-a-half minutes.
Delaware State was down 12-7 before going on a 7-0 spurt to take the lead. Bristow began the run with a three-point shot and Hawkins capped off the rally with a lay-up to give the Lady Hornets a 14-12 lead with 11:15 left in the first half.
After Wisconsin regained the lead, 16-14, Bristow hit her second three-pointer of the half to put DSU ahead 17-16 with 9:42 remaining in the opening period.
Wisconsin outscored the Lady Hornets 28-7 during the remainder of the half to hold a 44-24 lead at the break. The Badgers were 18-for-32 from the field in the first half (56.3%).
Bristow had a team-high 11 points in the opening frame.
Delaware State could get no closer than 18 points in the final 20 minutes.
The Lady Hornets were 18-for-56 from the field (32.1%) in the contest, including five-of-14 from three-point territory (35.7%). DSU was 13-for-25 at the free throw line (52.0%).
Wisconsin hit 32 of its 63 shots from the floor (50.8%), including 6-of-17 from beyond the arc (35.3%).
The Badgers outrebounded the Lady Hornets 41-39.
Delaware State will take on Central Connecticut State in the tournament consolation game on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
