Norfolk, Va. (Mar. 12, 2013) --- A.J. Thomas scored a career-high 21 points and added six assists to lead Delaware State to a 73-51 win over Howard in a MEAC Tournament first round contest at the Scope Arena this evening.
The sixth-seeded Hornets will take on No. 3 Hampton in the tournament quarterfinals on Thursday (Mar. 14) at 6:00 p.m.
Thomas was 7-for-10 from the field and 5-of-6 at the free throw line. His previous high scoring game was 14 points, also against Howard, on Mar. 2.
"A.J. (Thomas) was the catalyst to our offense with his aggressive play early in the contest," said Delaware State head coach Greg Jackson, who improved to 195-200 at DSU (13th year). He was able to get to the basket and create shots for himself and the other guys."
Tahj Tate (14), Marques Oliver (13) and Casey Walker (12) also reached double figures for the Hornets. Oliver also led all players with 10 rebounds to record his sixth double-double of the season.
DSU never trailed in the contest. Walker hit two three-point shots and Thomas scored three points to give the Hornets a 9-0 lead in the first five minutes.
After Howard pulled to within 14-10, Delaware State scored 12 of the next 16 points to open up a double digit lead. Walker capped off the run with a lay-up to give the Hornets a 26-14 lead with 4:18 left in the first half.
DSU led 32-20 at the break.
The Hornets forced Howard into 8-of-22 shooting (36.4%) and 11 turnovers in the first half.
"Our defensive intensity in the first half was as high as it's been all year," said Jackson. "The defensive pressure kept Howard on its heels and created scoring opportunities for us on offense."
Howard pulled to within seven points on two occasions in the second half, but could get no closer.
The Hornets went on a 12-2 run late in the game and opened up their biggest lead, 73-54, on a Tate lay-up with 1:54 remaining in the game.
The Hornets hit 26 of their 51 shots from the field (51.0%), including 7-of-18from three-point territory (38.9%).
Howard's Calvin Thompson led all players with 22 points.
The Hornets defeated Howard for the third time in three meetings this season.
Delaware State was 0-2 against Hampton during the 2012-13 regular season. The Pirates won the first game 85-84 in double overtime on Feb. 11 in Hampton, Va. Hampton took the second contest 57-50 on Feb. 25 at DSU's Memorial Hall.
The winner of the Delaware State/Hampton quarterfinal will take on either North Carolina Central or North Carolina A&T on Friday (Mar. 15) at 8:00 p.m.
