Dover, Del. (Nov. 25, 2013) -- Davon Usher led four Delaware players in double figures with a game-high 23 points in the Hens' 80-70 win over Delaware State in Memorial Hall this evening.
Delaware, which avenged a 73-67 overtime loss to the Hornets in the last meeting between the teams, improved to 3-3 this season. The Hornets dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 1-4.
Kendall Gray was high scorer for DSU with a career-high 19 points. Gray was eight-for-11 from the field and three-for-three at the free throw line. He also led all players with four blocks. Casey Walker added a season-high 17 points, while Tyshawn Bell had 12 for the Hornets. Walker's performance was highlighted by three three-point field goals.
Usher was five-for-10 from the field and perfect on 10 free throw attempts in the contest. He also led all players with six assists. Jarvis Threatt added 17 points, while Kyle Anderson had 12 and Carl Baptiste 10 for the Hens.
Delaware State controlled the first 10 minutes of the game.
DeAndre Haywood capped off a 7-0 DSU run with two free throws to give the Hornets a 13-6 lead with 12:40 left in the first half.
Delaware State led 15-10 before the Hens started to make their move. UD scored five straight points, capped off by an Anderson three-pointer, to tie the game at 15-15 with 9:29 left in the first half.
The Hornets held their final lead, 17-15, on a dunk by Gray off a feed from A.J. Thomas on the next possession.
Delaware scored 11 of the next 15 points, and opened up a 26-21 lead on two free throws by Usher with 2:17 left in the opening frame.
Delaware State scored on its next two possessions, and pulled to within 26-25 on a layup by Bell.
The Hens closed out the half on a 6-0 run, highlighted by an Usher basket at the first half buzzer to give Delaware a 32-25 lead at the break.
UD scored on its first three possessions of the second half, and opened up a 39-25 lead on a three-pointer by Anderson with 18:18 left to play. Anderson was four-for-six from three-point range in the contest.
Delaware State trailed 41-27 before rallying to close the gap. The Hornets scored 12 of the next 14 points, and pulled to within 43-39 on a lay-up by Walker with 14:39 remaining in the game. Walker and Gray scored four points each during the DSU rally.
Delaware was able to maintain its second half lead with deadly three-point shooting. Threatt, Usher and Anderson nailed three-pointers on consecutive possessions to keep the Hornets at bay. Anderson's three gave the Hens a 71-55 lead with 4:24 left to play.
Delaware State could get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.
The Hens were six-for-eight from three-point territory in the second half.
The Hornets outshot Delaware from the field, but the Hens enjoyed a big edge in three-point shooting the free throws.
Delaware State was 30-for-63 from the field (47.6%), including four-of-15 from three-point territory (26.7%). The Hornets went to the free throw line just nine times, hitting six.
Delaware was 24-for-53 from the floor (45.3%), including nine-of-19 from beyond the arc (47.4%). The Hens were 23-for-27 at the line (85.2%).
The Hornets were whistled for 24 fouls, compared to 15 for Delaware.
The Hens stretched their lead to 11-3 in the all-time series between the state's two Division I men's basketball teams.
Delaware State returns to action on Saturday (Nov. 30) at Buffalo. Game time is 2:00. DSU's next home game is Dec. 2 against Baptist Bible (7:00 p.m.).
