Greensboro, N.C. (Jan. 20, 2014) --- Delaware State trimmed a 21-point second half deficit to seven before running out of gas and time in a 66-55 loss to defending MEAC champ North Carolina A&T in a nationally televised (ESPNU) MEAC men's basketball contest this evening.
The Hornets dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 4-14 overall and 0-6 in the MEAC. The last time DSU lost its first six league contests was during the 1999-2000 season.
The loss also overshadowed a school record-tying eight blocks by Kendall Gray. It marks the second time that Gray has reached the mark in his career. Two others also share the blocks record.
Gray also had nine points and nine rebounds in the contest.
The Hornets never led in the game. The score was 5-5 when the Aggies began to take control.
North Carolina A&T outscored the Hornets 21-8 over the next 11 minutes, and opened up a 26-13 lead on a three-pointer by Jeremy Underwood with 5:22 left in the first half. The Aggies nailed three three-pointers, including two by Underwood, and were five-for-five at the free throw line during the stretch.
NCA&T opened up a 33-18 lead when Khary Doby knocked down the team's sixth three-point shot of the first half with 2:30 left in the opening period.
Delaware State trailed 36-20 at the break
The Aggies scored seven of the first nine points in the second half, and opened up a 43-22 lead on two free throws with 17:08 left to play.
The Hornets chipped away at the NCA&T lead throughout the half, and pulled to within nine (50-41) on a jumper by Nick Doyle with 9:59 remaining.
North Carolina A&T stretched its lead back up to 13 points before the Hornets took a little more off the deficit.
Delaware State responded with a 9-3 run, and cut the Aggies' lead to 62-55 on a three-pointer by Tyshawn Bell with 3:05 left. It was as close as the Hornets would get.
North Carolina A&T hit two free throws and a basket in the next minute-and-a-half to seal the win.
Delaware State won the second half 35-30.
Bell was high scorer for the Hornets with 17 points. He was seven-for-11 from the field, including three-of-five from three-point range.
Casey Walker added 16 points for the Hornets.
Delaware State got 13 points off the bench, seven from DeAndre Haywood and six by Doyle.
Richaud Pack (11-11 FTs) led three NCAT players in double figures with 22 points. Pack also had three three-pointers in the game.
Underwood (four three-point field goals) added 13 points and Bruce Beckford (5-6 FGs) 11 for the Aggies.
Ten of North Carolina A&T's 16 field goals from three-pointers. The Aggies were 16-for-45 overall (35.6%) and 10-of-21 from beyond the arc (47.6%). NCA&T took 30 free throws, hitting 24 (80.0%).
Delaware State was 21-for-50 from the field (42.0%) overall and four-of-18 from three-point territory (22.2%). The Hornets took just 15 free throws, hitting nine.
North Carolina A&T won the rebound battle 41-23.
The Hornets committed nine turnovers, while forcing the Aggies into 12 miscues.
Delaware State returns to action next Mon. (Jan. 27) for a non-conference home game against NJIT (New Jersey Tech). Tip-off is 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
