Buffalo, N.Y. (Nov. 30) --- Despite getting 28 bench points and a game-high 15 from Kendall Gray, the Delaware State University men's basketball team suffered a frustrating 65-55 loss to Buffalo at UB's Alumni Arena this afternoon.
The Hornets trailed 32-25 at the half, but pulled to within 34-33 on a lay-up by Kendal Williams following a steal from Tyshawn Bell with 15:42 left to play.
Buffalo answered with an 8-0 run, and opened up a 42-33 lead on a three-pointer by Deyshonee Much with 12:29 remaining.
Delaware State trailed 46-40 after a lay-up by Gray and a three-point shot by A.J. Thomas on consecutive possessions with eight-and-a-half minutes left to play.
Buffalo was able to hold off the Hornets in the second half with the help of free throw shooting. The Bulls were 13-for-20 at the line in the second half. The Hornets went to the line six times- hitting five-in the final 20 minutes.
Delaware State hung tough with the Bulls in the first half. The Hornets scored the first four points of the game, and used a 9-0 run to lead by four with less than eight minutes to go in the first half. Jordan Lawson capped off the run with a lay-up off a feed by Rakeen Brown to give the Hornets a 17-13 lead with 7:27 to go before halftime.
Buffalo answered with a 9-0 run of its own, and pulled ahead 24-17 on a lay-in by Regan with 2:11 left in the opening period.
Gray has topped the Hornets in scoring in each of the last three games. He was 7-for-11 from the field in the Buffalo contest to improve to 20-of-30 during the span. DeAndre Haywood came off the bench to add 11 for the Hornets. His performance was highlighted by 2-for-2 shooting from three-point territory. Kendal Williams tallied nine points and a team-high four assists in a reserve role for DSU.
Delaware State's 28 bench points were its most since tallying 51 in a 107-48 win over Cairn in the season open on Nov. 9.
Shannon came off the bench to lead three Buffalo players in double figures with 13 points. He was three-for-five form the field and five-of-six at the line. Jarod Oldham and Will Regan added 12 points each for the Bulls.
Delaware State was 21-for-54 from the field (38.9%), five-of-11 from three-point territory (45.5%) and eight-of-11 at the free throw line (61.5%).
Buffalo hit 21 of its 44 shots from the floor (47.7%), and was seven-of-19 from beyond the arc (36.8%). The Bulls went to the free throw line 24 times, hitting 16 (66.7%).
The Bulls outrebounded the Hornets 32-31. DSU committed 17 turnovers, while Buffalo had 16.
The Hornets dropped their fifth straight game to fall to 1-5 this season, while the Bulls won their third in a row to improve to 3-2.
Delaware State will return to action on Monday (Dec. 2) at home against Baptist Bible in the first meeting between the teams. Game time is 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
