Hampton, Va. (Feb. 21, 2015) --- Amere May scored 30 points, including 24 in the second half, to lead Delaware State to a 74-71 win over Hampton in a MEAC men's basketball thriller at the HU Convocation Center this evening.
The Pirates (11-15; 7-6 MEAC) had the final shot of the game, but Brian Darden missed a running three-point shot as time expired.
The Hornets (13-14; 7-5 MEAC) trailed 36-27 at the half, but outscored Hampton 47-35 in the final 20 minutes.
May has scored 69 points in the last two games, and 113 in the last four, to raise his MEAC-leading average to 19.8 points per game.
He has reached double figures in scoring in each of the last 17 games; and hit at least one three-point field goal in 20 straight.
It marked the fourth time that May has scored 30-or-more points in a game this season.
Kendal Williams added 17 points for the Hornets in the contest.
Reginald Johnson led four Hampton players in double-figures with 17 points, while Quinton Chievous added 16.
“Our defensive intensity really picked up in the second half; and that was key to our comeback,” said Delaware State head coach Keith Walker. “Also, we executed our offense quite well down the stretch, resulting in some shot opportunities and trips to the foul line.”
Walker also singled out reserves Mrdjan Gasevic and Scott Sill for their roles in the win.
“Mrdjan and Scott gave us a big lift off the bench with their defensive effort and hustle plays,” Walker said. “They helped keep us in the game while some of our starters were sitting with foul trouble.”
Gasevic scored a season-high eight points, hitting each of his three shots from the field. He also had four rebounds and a steal, while Sill scored a point and pulled down three boards.
The Hornets outscored the Pirates 14-5 to start the second half to tie the game. May capped off the run with a lay-up off a steal by Gasevic to tie the score at 41 with 14:39 left in the game.
DSU scored seven unanswered points to take the lead for the first time in the second half. Williams started the rally with a three-point field. Gasevic followed with a tip-in; and May hit a lay-up off a steal to give the Hornets a 52-50 lead with 10:37 remaining in the game.
The score was tied five times over the next several minutes.
Hampton pulled ahead for the final time, 65-64, after Jervon Pressley hit one-of-two free throws at the 4:26 mark of the second half.
May nailed a jumper on Delaware State's next possession; and Kendal Gray hit a lay-up a minute later to give the Hornets a 68-65 lead.
DSU opened up a 72-68 lead when May hit two free throws with 31 seconds remaining.
Deron Powers drove the length of the court for a lay-up to pull the Pirates to within 72-70 with 25 ticks on the clock.
The Hornets committed a turnover on their next possession, but Chievous missed the first of two free throws to prevent the Pirates from tying the game.
May knocked down two more at the line with 5.1 seconds left to give the Hornets a 74-71 lead, forcing Hampton's unsuccessful three-point attempt to try and pull even.
Delaware State was 25-for-56 from the field in the game (44.6%), including 17-of-32 in the second half (53.1%). The Hornets were seven-for-19 from three-point territory (36.8%).
Hampton shot 35.0% for the game (21-for-60). The Pirates were just eight-for-30 from the field in the final 20 minutes. Hampton was one-for-six from beyond the arc in the second half, after hitting four-of-10 in the opening frame.
The Pirates won the rebound battle 37-35.
The Hornets return to action on Monday at Norfolk State. The nationally-televised contest (ESPNU) gets underway at 7 p.m. at NSU's Echols Hall.
STINGERS
The three previous games between the Hornets and Pirates at the HU Convocation Center were overtime affairs … despite failing to record an assist in the contest, Williams has 30 helpers and just four turnovers in the last eight games for the Hornets.
