Dover, Del. (Feb. 4, 2013) ---Delaware State shook off a slow start to outlast North Carolina A&T 53-44 in a MEAC men's contest in Memorial Hall this evening. The Hornets won for the fourth time in the last five games to improve to 10-11 overall and 5-2 in the MEAC.

The loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Aggies, who fell to 11-12 and 4-4. The Hornets also defeated North Carolina A&T for the second straight year.

Amere May led Delaware State with a season-high 15 points, 11 coming in the second half. May's previous high this season was 14 points in two games.

 Jean Louisme led three NCA&T players in double figures with 16 points. Lamont Middleton added 12 points, while Jeremy Underwood came off the bench to score 10 for the Aggies.

North Carolina A&T's Austin Witter led all players with 12 rebounds.

The Aggies scored the first seven points of the game, while holding DSU scoreless until a lay-up by Tahj Tate (8 points) with 14:04 left in the first half.

DSU trailed by as many as seven in the opening period but pulled to within 22-21 at the break.

The Hornets did not take their first lead of the game until Casey Walker hit a three-pointer to put DSU ahead 24-22 with 18:38 left to play.

The score was 33-33 when Marques Oliver hit a jumper and Casey Walker knocked down a three-pointer on consecutive possessions to put the Hornets ahead for good.

Delaware State hit 5 of 6 free throws in the last 53 seconds to seal the win.

The Hornets outscored the Aggies 32-22 in the second half.

DSU forced North Carolina A&T into 7- of-30 shooting in the second half (23.3%). The Aggies were 15-for -51 from the field in the game (29.4%).

The Hornets were 9-for-19 from the floor and 11-of-13 at the free throw line in the second half.  DSU won the rebound battle 35-29.

The Hornets improved to 6-1 in Memorial Hall this season.

Delaware State returns to the road for its next outing, visiting MEAC leader and defending league champ Norfolk State on Saturday. Game time is 6:00 p.m. in Norfolk, Va.