The Game
The Delaware State women's basketball team (7-18, 2-11 MEAC) will continue its final three-game home stretch of the season Monday evening against the visiting Morgan State Bears (3-22, 1-11 MEAC).
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The Opponent
» Morgan State Bears (3-22, 1-11 MEAC)
After losing 15 consecutive games, the Bears secured their first win since Dec. 18 with an upset 66-61 win at home over in-state rival Coppin State last Wednesday. Offensively, MSU is led by the MEAC's second leading scorer guard Tracey Carrington (21.1 ppg), who also leads the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg). The squad's next leading scorer, meanwhile, is guard Ivy Harrington (7.0 ppg).
» The Head Coach: Donald Beasley is in his ninth season with the Morgan State women's basketball program. Throughout his tenure, Beasley has reached the century mark in wins and has had at least one player receive All-MEAC honors each season.
» The Series: Delaware State is 38-32 all-time against the Bears. Earlier in the season on Feb. 1, the Hornets defeated MSU on the road, 86-66, for their first conference. In that game, DSU shot 53 percent (32-of-61), led by guard Raven Bankston dropping a then career-high 35 points (13-of-23).
A Win Would Mean…
» The Lady Hornets' third time winning back-to-back games this season.
» Delaware State's first time sweeping the season series with MSU since the 2011-12 season.
» DSU's sixth home victory of the season, its third in MEAC play.
Last Time Out…
Delaware State defeated UMES this past Saturday, 79-68, behind a season-best 53 percent (26-of-49) and four players scoring in double figures. Leading the way was freshman sensation Raven Bankston dropping a career-high 36 points (12-of-24), including going 9-of-10 (.900) from the free throw line and 3-of-5 (.600) from three-point range. Guard Jade Washington tallied a season-high 11 points (5-of-6) and a team-high seven rebounds, whereas fellow starter Tylinn Carter totaled 10 points (4-of-8) and five rebounds. Off the bench, guard N'Kayah Kersey finished with 13 points (3-of-4), including a 3-for-4 outing from beyond the arc, two assists and two steals.
Bankston Rolling of Late
In her last seven games, freshman Raven Bankston is averaging 27 points per game on 47 percent shooting, including five games scoring at least 25 points and three games tallying 30 points or more. Her best game during stretch occurred in DSU's recent win at home over UMES with a career-high 36 points (12-of-24). In the Hornets' 86-66 road victory at Morgan State (Feb. 1), Bankston scored 35 points (13-of-23), which followed up a 28-point (13-of-21) effort against Wesley (Jan. 27). As a result, she was named MEAC Player of the Week for the first time ever. In addition, she was named MEAC Rookie of the Week for the sixth time after scoring a game-high 26 points (11-of-28), to go along with five rebounds, three assists and two blocks in DSU's 64-60 loss at home to South Carolina State (Feb. 10). Currently, Bankston sits third in the MEAC in scoring (20.4 ppg).
Familiar Face
On Monday, a familiar face in former DSU women's basketball head coach Ed Davis (2000-12) will be in attendance as an assistant coach with Morgan State. Manning the sidelines for 12 seasons, Davis posted a 178-182 overall record at DSU, including a 121-85 mark in conference action. Davis' years at Delaware State were highlighted by a MEAC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth (2007), a MEAC regular season co-championship (2003-04), five MEAC championship game appearances and the only 20-win seasons (four) in team history.
MEAC Struggles
Currently, Delaware State sits 12th in the MEAC standings with its 2-11 mark. In these 13 games, the Lady Hornets are being outscored 73-63 and shooting 39 percent from the field, including 28 percent from long distance. On the glass, teams are out-rebounding DSU, 573-466, whereas the Hornets have struggled to take care of the ball with 231 turnovers, compared to 159 assists.
Can't Shake the Injury Bug
Throughout the season, the Lady Hornets have been hit hard on the injury front. Before playing a game, center Janay Carter, whereas guard Raine Bankston also went down with a season-ending knee injury after starting five games.
Later in the year, guard Diamond Williams (ankle) missed three games before returning to action against NCCU (Jan. 18), while guard Raven Bankston suffered a sprained ankle in practice and did not suit up in DSU's loss at Coppin State (Feb. 3) for the first time this season. On the frontline, freshman Kareena Pitts has been inactive the past six games because of a foot injury.
However, redshirt freshman Aaliyah Davis played in her first game ever in DSU's win against UMES (Feb. 22), coming off two severe knee injuries.
Hawkins Done for the Season with Shoulder Injury
The Hornets took another hit on the injury front with leading scorer (20.7 ppg) and rebounder Tierra Hawkins (10.2 rpg) officially ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. In her final game, Hawkins recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 11 points (5-of-18) and a game-high 15 rebounds in DSU's 50-47 loss at North Carolina A&T (Jan. 20). Hawkins wraps up her junior campaign as one of eight players in the country averaging 20+ points and 10+ rebounds per game. In DSU's 86-73 win at home over Wilmington (Nov. 20), she tallied 30 points to eclipse 1,000 career points to become the 15th player in Hornets history to reach this milestone. Currently, she sits eighth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,280 points. Also, Hawkins was named MEAC Player of the Week twice this season (Nov. 25 and Jan. 6).
At This Point Last Season…
The Lady Hornets were 9-16 overall and 6-6 in MEAC play, coming off a 58-48 win at home over Norfolk State.
Coming Up Next…
DSU will face Howard this Saturday (2 p.m.) for its final home game of the season. Earlier in the season, the Lady Hornets fell on the road to the Bison on Jan. 2, 70-64.
