2014-15 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES
HORNETS (3-4; 0-0 MEAC) vs. Delaware “Fightin Blue Hens” (0-6; 0-0 CAA)
Sun., Dec. 7, 2014 - 12:00 p.m.
Newark, Del. (Bob Carpenter Center – 5,000)
Radio: HSRN (HSRN.com; Sirius XM channel 126)
Live TV: n/a
Live Audio: Heritage Sports Radio Network (HSRN.com; Sirius XM channel 126)
Live Video: BlueHens.com
Live Stats: BlueHens.com
Twitter updates: @DSUAthletics
Delaware State Head Coach Keith Walker (Clemson, '81): 8-10 at DSU (first year, plus 11 games as interim head coach in 2013-14); 99-112 career (ninth year); 0-0 vs. Delaware
Delaware Head Coach Monte Ross (Winston-Salem State, '92):115-147 at UD and career (ninth year); 3-2 vs. DSU
THE GAME
Delaware State follows up its longest road trip of the season (at Hawai'i) with its shortest, visiting the University of Delaware in the 15th meeting between the state's two Division I teams. It also marks the final contest in a season-long six-game road swing for the Hornets. DSU is trying to bounce back from a 75-60 loss to Hawaii on Tuesday. The Rainbow Warriors scored 20 fast break points and forced 18 turnovers in the contest. The Hornets were also plagued by poor outside shooting, hitting just two-of-18 three-point shot attempts (.111). Delaware State trailed 35-23 at the break, and fell behind by 23 points early in the second half. Kendall Gray (sr.; Dover, Del.) was a bright spot for the Hornets, posting his third straight double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, including a season-high six offensive boards. Point guard Charles Burley (sr.; Wilmington, Del.) came off the bench to score a team and career-high 14 points for the Hornets. Burley nailed both of DSU's three-point field goals (2-for-4) and was eight-for-eight at the free throw line. Amere May (sr.; Covert, Mich.), the Hornets' leading scorer entering the contest was held to four points on two-of-13 shooting from the field. He was averaging 19.7 points entering the game, including a career-high 32 in the 72-65 win at Wake Forest in DSU's previous outing.
Delaware is seeking its first win of the season. The Hens are coming off a 73-69 loss to Army in their 2014-15 home opener on Wednesday. Cazmon Hayes led three Delaware players in double figures with 14 points. Corey Holden added 13 points and Chivarsky Corbett came off the bench to contribute 11 for the Hens. Delaware trailed 35-28 at intermission, but fought back to lead by four after two free throws with 7:27 left to play. There were 11 ties in the contest. Hayes is UD's leading scorer at 16.2 points per game. He also has a team-high 16 three-point field goals (16-for-50). Maurice Jeffers leads the Hen regulars in rebounding at 4.7 per game, while Holden has a team-high 24 assists.
DSU vs. DELAWARE SERIES HISTORY (Delaware leads 11-3)
The Hornets and Hens have split their last two meetings. Delaware won last year's contest 80-70 at DSU's Memorial Hall. Davon Usher led the Hens with a game-high 23 points. His performance was highlighted by 10-for-10 shooting at the free throw line. Kendall Gray was high scorer for the Hornets with 19 points (8-11 FGs). He also had four blocks in the contest. The last time the teams met at Delaware, the Hornets pulled out a 73-67 overtime victory during the 2012-13 season for their first victory at the Carpenter Center. DSU's Tyshawn Bell nailed a three-pointer with five seconds left in regulation to force the extra period. He also scored five points in the overtime to lead the Hornets. Delaware State won the first meeting between the teams in 1991. Delaware won the next eight games from 1992 to 2000. The teams did not meet from 2001 to '08.
