Dover, Del. (Feb. 1, 2020) --- Pinky Wiley scored a season-high 25 points to lead Delaware State to a 77-68 men's basketball victory Coppin State in Memorial Hall this afternoon. Wiley was 11-for-15 from the field and also led the Hornets with seven rebounds in the contest.
Myles Carter came off the bench to add a career-high 17 points, while John Crosby chipped in with 14 for the Hornets, who snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 3-17 overall and 2-4 in the MEAC this season.
"This was an outstanding team effort, although Pinky really stood out with his leadership and overall play," said Delaware State Head Coach Eric Skeeters, who recorded his second straight win over Coppin State. Skeeters began his collegiate coach career as a Coppin State assistant in the 1990s.
"When Pinky plays that way, it's really a lift to the team because he's such a heady player," Skeeters added.
Wiley scored 15 points in the second half on seven-for-nine shooting from the field.
Coppin State was in control early in the game, opening up a 21-13 lead after a basket by Dejuan Clayton with 9:29 left in the first half.
The Hornets rebounded with a 17-5 run, and opened up a 30-26 lead on a jumper by Carter with 4:32 to go before halftime.
Delaware State held a 37-34 lead at the break. The Hornets forced the Eagles into 11-for-34 shooting for the field in the first half.
The score was 39-39 early in the second half ran off the next eight points to take the lead for good. Chris Sodom, a 7-3 center playing his third game for the Hornets capped off the run with a dunk, to give DSU a 47-39 lead at the 15:36 mark of the second half.
The Hornets opened up a double-digit lead, 68-38, on a basket by Carter with 6:48 left.
Coppin State pulled to within 73-68 when Ibn Williams hit two free throws with 2:31 remaining, but the Eagles could get no closer.
Delaware State shot 49.2% from the field for the game (32-for-65), including 51.5% in the second half (17-33).
The Hornets held a 41-36 rebounding edge.   
STINGERS
…The Hornets have matched their MEAC win total from last season (2)
…Wiley's career-high is 28 points vs. Norfolk State during the 2018-19 season
… Sodom was 4-for-5 from the field with five rebounds in nearly 17 minutes in his home debut for the Hornets
… Crosby had a season-high seven assists in the game
…DSU returns to action with a home contest against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday at 7:30 pm