The Game
The Delaware State women's basketball team (8-19, 3-12 MEAC) will head to Princess Anne, Md. to take on the UMES Hawks (7-20, 3-12 MEAC), in what will be the final regular season game for both squads.
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The Opponent
» UMES Hawks (7-20, 3-12 MEAC)
Since falling 79-68 on the road to DSU on Feb. 22, the Hawks have dropped three in a row with losses to Hampton, Coppin State and Norfolk State. On the offensive end, guard Jessica Long leads the squad in scoring (14.6 ppg) and assists (115), while guard Shawnee Sweeney sits second on the team in scoring (9.9 ppg). Down low, forward/center Alexis Udoji averages a team-high 7.6 per game and leads UMES in blocks (45).
» The Head Coach: In his 10th season at the helm, Fred Batchelor is the most successful coach in UMES women's basketball history with an overall record of 119-173.
» The Series: The Lady Hornets are 49-33 all-time against UMES. After its win over the Hawks earlier in the season, Delaware State has won the last three meetings, including 67-52 and 72-63 victories in 2012-13. In 2011-12, the Hawks swept the season series with both victories by at least 10 points.
A Win Would Mean…
» The Hornets' fourth consecutive victory over the Lady Hawks.
» Delaware State would snap a three-game road losing skid.
» DSU's third time this season winning back-to-back games.
Last Time Out…
The Lady Hornets pulled out a 64-61 overtime victory over the Howard Bison this past Saturday, behind guard Raven Bankston's career-high 38 points (14-of-32), which is third most in DSU single-game history. At game's end, Bankston scored 26 points in the second half and went 9-of-10 (.900) from the charity stripe. Senior Deanna Harmon, who was playing in her final home game, tallied 14 points (5-of-13), eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. For HU, three players scored in double figures, led by Te'Shiya Heslip's 17 points (7-of-18), while Shavonne Duckett recorded a double-double with 13 points (4-of-10) and 10 rebounds. On the glass, the Bison out-rebounded Delaware State, 57-43, with six players totaling at least, including center Victoria Gonzalez pulling down 10.
Bankston Garners Back-to-Back MEAC Player of the Week Recognition, Third Overall
Freshman sensation Raven Bankston was named MEAC Player of the Week for the second week in a row Monday afternoon, third overall, headlined by a 38-point (14-of-32), six-rebound and two-assist performance in DSU's overtime 64-61 win over Howard. Earlier in the week, despite the Lady Hornets falling 65-54 to Morgan State at home, she tallied a team-high 20 points (8-of-19), along with four rebounds, four assists and two blocks. With this honor, Bankston has earned eight conference weekly awards, as she's been named MEAC Rookie of the Week five times throughout her first season in a Hornet uniform.
Bankston Keeps on Chugging
In her last nine games, freshman Raven Bankston is averaging 27.8 points per game on 46 percent (96-of-208) shooting, including six games scoring at least 25 points and four games tallying 30 points or more. Her best game during stretch occurred in DSU's recent win at home over Howard with a career-high 38 points (14-of-32), which was the third most in DSU single-game history. Currently, Bankston sits second in the MEAC and 27th in the nation in scoring (21.0 ppg).
MEAC Struggles
Currently, Delaware State sits 11th in the MEAC standings with its 3-12 mark. In these 15 games, the Lady Hornets are being outscored 71-62 and shooting 39 percent from the field, including 28 percent from long distance. On the glass, teams are out-rebounding DSU, 668-541, whereas the Hornets have struggled to take care of the ball with 260 turnovers, compared to 180 assists.
Road Woes
In 14 road games this season, DSU is 2-12 and being outscored, 78-62. Offensively, the Lady Hornets are shooting 39 percent from field, including 24 percent from beyond the arc, while also dishing out 170 assists, compared to 244 by their oppositions. Additionally, opposing squads are shooting 44 percent, along with owning the rebounding advantage (608-498). Dating back to last season, the Lady Hornets have dropped 16 out of their last 18 road games.
Moving Up in the Record Books, Milestone Watch
Deanna Harmon now sits eighth all-time on the Lady Hornets' career steals list with 202… Harmon also needs 13 rebounds to tally 600 for her career… Raven Bankston needs five points (547) to pass Carlene Albury (1985-86) to become DSU's all-time leader for most points scored in a season.
At this Point Last Season…
The Lady Hornets were 9-18 overall and 6-8 in MEAC play, coming off a 65-39 loss at Howard.
Coming Up Next…
Will be the MEAC Tournament (March 10 – 15) in Norfolk, Va. If the tournament started today, the Lady Hornets as the No. 11 seed would take on No. 6 Norfolk State in the first round.
