Dover, Del. (Feb. 10, 2014) --- Delaware State shot a season-high 63.4% from the field in a 79-59 win over Savannah State in a MEAC men's basketball contest in Memorial Hall Monday evening.
The Hornets knocked down 26 of their 41 shots from the field, including four-of-nine from three-point territory. DSU was also successful on 23 of 26 free throws.
Tyshawn Bell led five Delaware State players in double figures with a career-high 21 points. Bell was seven-for-nine overall from the field, two-for-two from three-point territory; and perfect on five free throw attempts. The junior forward has hit 14-of-20 shots from the floor (70.0%), including six-of-eight three-pointers in the last two games.
DeAndre Haywood (5-9 FGs) had a career-high 13 points, while Kendall Gray added 12 points on six-for-seven shooting from the field. Gray's performance was highlighted by three crowd pleasing dunks.
Mrdjan Gasevic (2-3 FGs; 6-6 FTs) and Charles Burley (8-10 FTs) came off the bench to score 10 points each for the Hornets.
“Our execution and shot selection were pretty good throughout the game,” said Delaware State interim head coach Keith Walker, who improved to 2-2 since assuming the position on Jan. 30. “We got off to a fast start and were able to build on the early momentum. Hopefully, we can build on this effort as we move into the final portion of our schedule."
The Hornets used a 12-0 run to open up a 14-2 lead in the first seven minutes. Bell had five points, including a three-point shot, and Haywood nailed a three-pointer during the spurt.
Delaware State opened up a 25-10 lead on a short jumper by Gray with 9:09 left in the first half.
After Savannah State pulled to within 29-22, the Hornets scored 11 of the last 16 points in the half to hold a 40-27 lead at the break. Bell led all players with 17 first half points.
DSU shot 60.9% from the field in the first half (14-for-23).
Savannah State scored the first five points of the second half to pull to within 42-34. The Hornets answered with an 8-2 run, and opened up a 50-36 lead on two free throws by Haywood with 13:57 left to play.
Delaware State used a 15-5 run midway through the second half to blow the game open. Gray capped off the rally with a dunk off a lob from Bell to give the Hornets their biggest lead, 71-48, with 5:03 remaining in the game.
The Tigers could no closer than 16 points the rest of the way.
The Hornets were even hotter in the second half, connecting on 12-of-18 shots from the field (66.7%).
The 79 points were the most by the Hornets since a 107-48 opening day win over Cairn.
Jyles Smith was the only Savannah State player in double figures with 13 points. He also had a game-high eight rebounds. Hikeem Champaigne (4-5 FGs) added eight points for the Tigers.
Delaware State won its second straight game to improve to 6-17 overall and 2-8 in the MEAC. Savannah State lost for the fourth time in the last five games to fall to 8-16 and 6-4.
The Hornets begin a two-game Florida swing on Saturday (Feb. 15) at Bethune-Cookman. Game time is 4:00 p.m. in Daytona Beach, Fla. DSU will wrap up the road trip with a visit to Florida A&M next Monday (Feb. 17).
