Baltimore, Md. (Mar. 5, 2015) --- Kendall Gray had career-highs of 33 points and 30 rebounds; and Amere May poured in 40 points to lead Delaware State to a 104-92 MEAC men's basketball win over Coppin State in the regular season finale for both teams this evening. With the win, the Hornets secure fifth place in the final MEAC regular season standings and No. 5 seed in next week's conference tournament.
Gray's performance marked the first time in Delaware State's Div. I era that a player has reached 30 points and 30 rebounds in a game. His rebound total is also tops among all NCAA Div. I players this season. The previous Div. I high this year was 28 by Rico Gathers of Baylor. He's also the only player in Div. I to reach the 30-30 plateau this season.
Gray is the 11th NCAA Div. I player since 1973 to record 30 rebounds in a game. The last to achieve the feat was Rashad Jones-Jennings of Arkansas-Little Rock on Dec. 5, 2005,according to the2014-15 NCAA Men's Basketball Record Book.
The most rebounds in a game by a Div. 1 player since 1973 is 35 by Larry Abney of Fresno State on Feb. 17, 2000.
Gray also set a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Div. I single-game rebound record; and became the first player in league history with 30 points and 30 rebounds in a game.
He also set a Hornet Div. I single-game rebound record.
Delaware State's single-game rebound high is 35 by Marvin Spratley when the Hornets were a Division II program in 1971.
In addition, Gray blocked three shots to set a single season school record for the third straight year. He has 83 blocks this year, eclipsing the previous high of 81 he set last season.
Gray was 12-for-13 from the field and nine-of-16 at the free throw line in the contest. His rebound total included a career-high 11 offensive boards.
Gray also had 23 and 22-rebound games; and ranks among the nation's leaders with 17 double-doubles this season.
He raised his season rebound average to 12.4 per game with Thursday's performance. Gray was second in the nation in rebounding entering the contest.
Gray's big night nearly overshadowed a 40-point scoring performance by Amere May. It is his second 40-point game of the season. He scored the NCAA Div. I season high of 48 vs. St. Francis Brooklyn on Dec. 17.
May, the MEAC's leading scorer, was 13-for-24 from the field, six-of-10 on three-point shots and six-for-six at the free throw line.
May has topped the 20-point mark in eight consecutive games; and has reached double figures in 21 straight. He has also knocked down at least one three-pointer in each of the last 24 games.
He has scored 79 points in two games against Coppin State this season (39.5 ppg).
May has 586 points this season, the fourth-best single-season mark in team history.
The performances by Gray and May also mark the first time that two Hornets have topped the 30-point mark in a game in the team's Div. I era.
Delaware State led 34-29 at the half; and outscored the Eagles 70-63 in the final 20 minutes. The 70 second half points also marks a modern-day school record.
The Hornets were 21-for-33 from the field (63.6%) in the second half.
Tyshawn Bell was the only other Delaware State player in double figures with 15 points.
Christian Kessee came off the bench to lead Coppin State with 24 points. Taariq Cephas and Sterling Smith added 16 points each for the Eagles.
Delaware State won its second straight game to end the regular season with a 15-16 overall record and 9-7 mark in the MEAC. Coppin State is 7-22 and 6-10 this season.
The Hornets also avenged a 96-92 loss to Coppin State on Feb. 16 in Dover, Del.
STINGERS
Delaware State's 104 points Thursday evening were its most against a Div. I opponent since a 105-03 win over St. Francis (NY) during the 1994-95 season.
