Philadelphia, Pa. (Nov. 15, 2014) --- DeAndre Haywood scored five of his career-high 23 points in overtime to help lift Delaware State to a 77-75 win in a thrilling season opener for both teams at the historic Palestra this afternoon.
The Hornets outscored the Quakers 12-10 in the extra period after the score was tied at 65 at the end of regulation.
Delaware State took the lead for good 69-67 on two free throws by Tyshawn Bell with 3:02 left in overtime.
The Hornets connected on seven-of-nine free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Bell contributed 19 points to the win. He was five-for-nine from the field, including four-of-seven from three-point range.
Kendall Gray had 17 points, nine rebounds and six blocks for the Hornets. Gray now has 216 career blocks, six shy of tying the Hornets' all-time record of 222 by Marques Oliver (2009-13).
Delaware State trailed 35-34 at the break, and fell behind 62-54 after two free throws by Penn's Tony Hicks with 6:20 left in the second half. Hicks led all players with 31 points, highlighted by five three-point field goals (5-12)
Gray began a 7-0 DSU run with a dunk off a feed from Haywood, who capped off the spurt with a free throw to cut the Quakers' lead to 62-61 with 3:36 left in regulation.
After Hicks nailed his fourth three-pointer of the game to stretch Penn's lead to 65-61 with 3:19 to go in the second half, the Hornets rallied to pull even.
Haywood hit a lay-up and free throw with 2:30 left in regulation to cut the Quakers' lead to 65-64.
Each team failed to score on its next possession.
Bell was fouled by Penn's Matt Howard with 1:12 left in the second half. The Hornet forward missed the first free throw, but knocked down the second to tie the game at 65.
Penn had the final shot in regulation, but Hicks missed a jumper as time expired to send the game into overtime.
The Hornets started the game strong, scoring the first five points on a tip-in by Gray and a Bell three-pointer.
DSU opened up the biggest lead of the game, 17-7, on a three-ball by newcomer Aric Dickerson (eight points; 2-3 three-point FGs) with 14:34 left in the first half.
The Hornets were ahead 20-14 before the Quakers ran off nine straight points to open up a 23-20 lead.
Delaware State was 24-for-56 from the field (42.9%), including six-of-16 from three-point territory (37.5%). The Hornets were 23-for-30 at the free throw line (76.7%).
Penn won the rebound battle 40-36, while each team had 12 turnovers.
DSU will play its home opener on Monday (Nov. 17) against Baptist Bible. Game time is 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall.
STINGERS
Haywood's previous career high was 20 points vs. Florida A&M on Feb. 17, 2014 … this was the sixth time that Gray has blocked at least six shots at DSU … Bell's four three-pointers matched his career high … this was Delaware State's first win against an Ivy League school (1-1). ... DSU's Charles Burley led all players with five assists to match his career high.
