2014-15 DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES
“HORNETS” (12-14; 6-5 MEAC) vs. Hampton “Pirates” (11-14; 7-5 MEAC)
Sat., Feb. 21, 2015 - 6:00 p.m.
Hampton, Va. (HU Convocation Center - 7,200)
Live TV: n/a
Live Audio: HamptonPirates.com
Live Video: HamptonPirates.com
Live Stats: HamptonPirates.com
Twitter updates: @DSUAthletics
Delaware State Head Coach Keith Walker (Clemson, '81): 17-20 at DSU (1st year, plus 11 games as interim in 2013-14); 108-122 career (9th year); 0-0 vs. Hampton; 11-10 MEAC regular season
Hampton Head Coach Kevin Nickelberry (Johnson C. Smith, '95): 93-92 at HU and career (sixth year); 5-4 vs. DSU
THE GAME
Delaware State (12-14; 6-5 MEAC) looks to rebound from a disappointing home loss on Monday in a MEAC battle with the Hampton Pirates. The Hornets have dropped to seventh place in the MEAC standings after a 96-92 setback to Coppin State in their last outing. DSU was plagued by poor shooting in the contest, hitting just 33 of its season-high 88 shots from the field (37.5%), including eight-for-26 from three-point territory (30.8%). The loss overshadowed a game-high 39-point performance by Hornet senior guard Amere May, who knocked down 16 of his 34 shots, including five three-pointers (5-for-10). The 16 field goals marked the second time that May has reached that total this season, which is tops in a Division I game this year. Kendall Gray had a career-high 25 points (9-17 FGs) and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Coppin State contest to record his 15th double-double of the season. Freshman forward Kavon Waller was the only DSU player in double-figures with a career-best 11 points in the last game.
Hampton (11-14; 7-5 MEAC) has won its last three games to climb into a tie with Howard and South Carolina State for fourth place in the MEAC race. The Pirates are coming off a 93-65 victory over Morgan State last Monday in its most recent outing. Hampton shot 60.7% in the first half (17-for-28 FGs; 8-16 3pt. FGs) en route to a 52-20 lead at the break. Brian Darden led three Pirates in double figures with 23 points in the game. Darden was seven-for-eight from the field, including six-of-seven on three-point shots. Reginald Johnson added 17 points and Deron Powers 10 for the Pirates in their last contest. Dwight Meikle leads the Pirates in scoring at 12.6 points per game. He's also the team's top rebounder at 7.4 per game. Johnson is Hampton's second leading scorer at 11.1 points per contest. Powers has a team-high 84 assists, while Darden leads the squad with 50 three-point field goals.
DSU vs. HAMPTON SERIES HISTORY (DSU leads 25-23 )
This is the first of two scheduled contests between the Hornets and Pirates this season. Hampton won the last meeting 73-60 on Jan. 11, 2014 at DSU. Kendall Gray had 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyshawn Bell came off the bench to add 16 points for the Hornets in that contest. The last three meetings between the DSU and Hampton at the HU Convocation have been decided in overtime, including the Pirates' 85-84 double OT victory on Feb. 11, 2013 in DSU's last visit. The previous season, Delaware State won 74-68 in double overtime on Feb. 20, 2012 at Hampton. The year before, Hampton defeated the Hornets 70-66 in overtime on Jan. 29, 2011 at the HU Convocation Center.
The Hornets and Pirates are scheduled to meet again on Mar. 2 in DSU's home finale.
