Brooklyn, N.Y. (Dec. 15, 2013) --- Delaware State's first appearance in the Big Apple Classic ended in heartbreak with a 64-62 overtime loss to MEAC rival Howard at the Barclays Center this evening.
Howard's James Miller (15 points) scored the game-winning basket on a reverse lay-up with 15.1 seconds left in the extra session to snap a 62-62 tie.
On the ensuing Delaware State possession, Casey Walker missed a three-point shot with 3.1 seconds left. Howard's Prince Okoroh grabbed the rebound and dribbled away the final seconds.
The score was 58-58 at the end of regulation.
Howard led by as many as 13 points in the first half, but the Hornets stormed back to take a 38-31 lead at intermission.
The Bison started fast, opening up an 11-1 lead in the first four minutes of the game. Howard held their biggest lead, 25-12, on a basket with 8:25 left in the first half.
Delaware State came alive over the next five minutes to take control of the game. The Hornets scored 16 of the next 18 points, and grabbed a 28-27 lead on a three-pointer by Kendal Williams with 3:35 left in the half. Williams scored 10 points during the rally, highlighted by two three-point field goals.
DSU stretched its lead to 38-31 at the break. Williams led the way with 15 first half points.
The Hornets opened their biggest lead of the game, 45-34, on two free throws by Walker with 16:41 left in the second half.
Howard chipped away at the DSU lead, and tied the game at 58-58 on a basket by Okoroh with 37.5 seconds left in the second half.
Delaware State had the final possession of regulation but came up empty.
Williams led DSU with a career-high 19 points, but was held to four in the second half. He was seven-for-11 from the field, three-of-five on three-point shots; and perfect on two free throws.
Kendall Gray added 11 points, while Casey Walker contributed 10 for the Hornets.
Okoroh led the Bison with a game-high 21 points. He also topped all players with 16 rebounds.
The Hornets were 20-for-58 from the field (34.5%) for the game, but just six-of-26 in the second half (23.1%). The Hornets were four-for-19 from three-point territory (21.1%) and 18-of-28 at the free throw line (64.3%).
Howard was 25-for-58 from the floor (43.1%) and 6-of-19 from beyond the arc (31.6%). The Bison hit eight of their 13 free throws (61.5%).
Delaware State dropped its third straight game to fall to 2-8 overall and 0-2 in the MEAC. The Bison snapped an 11-game slide to improve to 3-11 and 1-1.Howard also snapped a four-game losing streak to the Hornets.
The Hornets return to action on Tuesday (Dec. 17) at nationally-ranked Oklahoma State. Game time is 8:00 p.m. ET in Stillwater, OK.
