Tallahassee, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2017) --- For the second straight game, the Delaware State men's basketball team needed overtime to steal another MEAC road win, this time posting an 80-77 victory over Florida A&M at the Al Lawson Center Monday evening.
The Hornets won their season-best third straight game to improve to 8-18 overall and 5-6 in the MEAC. DSU also avenged a Jan. 28 home loss to the Rattlers, who fell to 7-17 and 5-6.
The tightly played contest featured 20 lead changes and six ties. Delaware State was ahead for more than 31 minutes in the contest, but could not build a lead of more than six points.
The Hornets led 30-25 at intermission, but was outscored 41-36 in the second half. Delaware State was ahead 66-64 when Florida A&M's Desmond Williams hit two free throws with 23 seconds left in regulation to tie the game. The Hornets had the last shot of the second half, but Kavon Waller missed the potential game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer.
In the overtime, Devin Morgan scored the last seven points for the Hornets to key secure the win. Morgan gave DSU the lead for good, 76-74, on a three-pointer with 2:13 left to play.
After the Rattlers hit one-of-two free throws on their next possession, Morgan nailed a jumper to give the Hornets a 78-75 lead with 1:16 remaining.
Delaware State was ahead 78-77 when Morgan hit two free throws to give DSU a three-point lead with 15 seconds to go in the extra period.
Florida A&M's Justin Ravenel missed a three-point attempt on the final shot of the game.
Waller topped all players with a game-high 19 points for the Hornets. His performance was highlighted by 5-for-9 shooting on three-point attempts, marking the third time that he has nailed at least five three-pointers in a game this season.
Waller also extended his streak to 18 games with at least one three-pointer.
Morgan was second on the Hornets with 17 points. He had three-pointers, marking his fourth straight game with at least three.
DeVaughn Mallory came off the DSU bench to contribute 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field. Mallory is 27-of-34 from the field (.79.4%) for 59 points in the last four games.
The Hornets shot 53.4% in the contest, connecting on 31-of-58 shots from the field, including 10 three-pointers on 24 attempts (41.7%).
Delaware State will go for its fourth win in a row on Saturday (Feb. 11) at Morgan State. Game time is 4 p.m. in Baltimore, Md. The Hornets will also visit Coppin State on Feb. 13 before returning home to face Morgan State again on Feb. 20.
STINGERS
… The Hornets have not won four straight games since a five-game streak during the 2014-15 season
… DSU has played back-to-back overtime games for the first time since the 1999-2000 season
… The Hornets are 4-2 in MEAC road games this season
