The Game
Tabbed as the 13th seed, the Delaware State women's basketball team (8-20, 3-13 MEAC) will take on No. 4 Florida A&M (16-13, 10-6 MEAC) Monday morning (11 a.m.) in the first round of the MEAC Tournament at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va.
Media Coverage
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The Opponent
» No. 4 Florida A&M Rattlers (16-13, 10-6 MEAC)
The Rattlers head into postseason action winning five out of their last six games, including back-to-back victories over Morgan State and Bethune-Cookman to complete the regular season. Sitting second in the MEAC in scoring (70.1 ppg), FAMU has three players averaging double figures, led by the conference's leading scorer Jasmine Grice (25.4 ppg). In addition, Grice leads the MEAC in steals (113) and the Rattlers in rebounding (6.4 rpg). Also in the backcourt, guard Taneka Rubin averages 12.2 points per contest, while guard Kimberly Sparkman (10.0 ppg) leads the team in assists (120).
» The Head Coach: LeDawn Gibson is in her fourth season with the Florida A&M women's basketball program. Last season, she led the Rattlers to a 15-15 overall record.
» The Series: The Lady Hornets are 19-30 all-time against FAMU. Earlier in the season on Feb. 17, DSU fell 95-79 on the road to the Rattlers, despite guard Raven Bankston totaling a game-high 33 points (13-of-25) and a career-high nine rebounds. For FAMU, it shot 44 percent (35-of-80) from the field and 91 percent (19-of-21) from the free throw line with three players scoring in double figures, led by Jasmine Grice's 26 points (9-of-24) and five steals.
A Win Would Mean...
» DSU's second consecutive win in the first round of the MEAC Tournament.
» Delaware State's first win over FAMU since Jan. 28, 2013.
» DSU will play the winner of Savannah State and Morgan State on Thursday (2:30 p.m.).
Last Time Out...
DSU wrapped up the regular season with a 74-71 loss in overtime at UMES this past Monday, despite leading by 14 twice in the second half. At game's end, the Hornets shot 47 percent (28-of-60) from the floor, compared to UMES's 35 percent (25-of-72). Guard Raven Bankston, who was bothered by a lingering shoulder injury most of the night, led three Hornet players in double figures with a team-high 20 points (9-of-22). On the glass, forward Tylinn Carter pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds, which was the most by any Hornet this season. For the Hawks, Mariah McCoy led four players in double figures with a game-high 21 points (9-of-14). Ashleigh Claybrooks, meanwhile, recorded a double-double with 12 points and a team-high 15 rebounds off the bench.
Tournament Time
The Lady Hornets are 21-31 all-time in MEAC Tournament action... DSU's last win in the MEAC Tournament occurred last season with a 55-44 victory over Bethune-Cookman in the opening round, which snapped a five-year drought... Delaware State's lone MEAC Tournament crown occurred in 2007 with a 55-42 win over Morgan State.
Bankston Keeps on Chugging
In her last 10 games, freshman Raven Bankston is averaging 27.0 points per game on 46 percent (105-of-230) 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
Finishing with a 3-13 mark in conference action this season, the Lady Hornets were outscored 71-63 and shot 39 percent from the field, including 28 percent from long distance. On the glass, teams out-rebounded DSU, 720-579, whereas the Hornets struggled to take care of the ball with 279 turnovers, compared to 194 assists.
Road Woes
In 15 games away from Memorial Hall, DSU is 2-13 and being outscored, 79-62. Offensively, the Lady Hornets are shooting 39 percent from field, including 24 percent from beyond the arc, while also dishing out 184 assists, compared to 260 by their oppositions. Additionally, opposing squads are shooting 43 percent, along with owning the rebounding advantage (660-536). Dating back to last season, the Lady Hornets have dropped 17 out of their last 19 road games.
Moving Up in the Record Books, Milestone Watch
Guard Raven Bankston surpassed Carlene Albury (1985-86) for most points in DSU single-season history with 567... Guard Jade Washington now sits sixth all-time on the DSU career assists list with 230... Guard/forward Deanna Harmon needs 20 points to become the 16th player in team history to tally 1,000 career points.
At this Point Last Season...
The Lady Hornets were 9-19 overall and 6-9 in MEAC play, coming off a 59-49 loss at Morgan State.
