Dover, Del. (Nov. 9, 2013) --- Senior Jordan Lawson led six Delaware State players in double figures with a career-high 15 points in the Hornets' 107-48 win over Cairn in the season opener in Memorial Hall Saturday evening.
The point total was Delaware State's highest since a 109-87 win over UMES during the 19901-91 season. DSU's 59-point margin of victory was also its biggest since a 104-41 victory over Cairn (then Philadelphia Biblical) on Nov. 23, 2011.
Lawson also tied for game-high honors with 10 rebounds to record his first career double-double.
Newcomers Kendal Williams and DeAndre Haywood added 14 points each for the Hornets. Williams, a Dover (Del.) High School product, also led all players with seven assists. He was five-for-six from the field, including two-of-two from three-point territory.
Kendall Gray had 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while Tyshawn Bell and newcomer Mrdjan Gasevic contributed 10 points each for DSU.
Casey Walker tallied eight points and tied Lawson for game-high honors with 10 rebounds.
Thirteen of the 15 Hornets who appeared in the game scored at least three points.
The score was 5-5- before the Hornets went on a 23-4 run to take control of the game. Williams had seven points during the spurt, including a three-point field goal. Casey Walker and Tyshawn Bell also nailed three-pointers during the run.
Albert Thomas hit a three-pointer at the first half buzzer to give the Hornets a 55-19 lead the break.
Delaware State was 21-for-40 from the field in the first half (52.5%), including five-for-13 from three-point territory, The Hornets forced Cairn into 17.9% shooting from the field (five-of-28 ) and nine turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
DSU's lead reached 40 points (62-22) on a dunk by Gray with 17:11 left in the second half. The lead hit the 50-point mark (81-31) when Jason Owens hit one of two free throws with 10:52 remaining in the game.
The Hornets were even hotter in the second half, hitting 20-of-30 from the field (66.7%) in the final 20 minutes.
Delaware State shot 58.6% from the field (41-for-70 for the game, including 10-of-24 (41.7%) from beyond the arc.
The Hornets also held a 59-27 rebounding edge.
Cairn was 15-for-58 from the field (25.9%) and just two-of-21 from three-point range (9.5%).
The Hornets hit the road for the next three games, beginning with a visit to Georgia Tech on Monday (Nov. 11) at 7:00 p.m. DSU will take on Clemson on Wed. (Nov. 13) at 7:00 p.m.
The Hornets return home on Nov. 25 to face Delaware. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
