Baltimore, Md. (Jan. 4, 2021) --- Delaware State led by 10 points with seven minutes left to play, but faded down the stretch of an 86-78 men's basketball loss to Coppin State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division opener for each team at PEC Arena.  

Dejuan Clayton led five double-figure scorers for Coppin State with 32 points, highlighted by 14-for-15 shooting at the free throw line.
D'Marco Baucum was Delaware State's leading scorer with a career-high 19 points on eight-for-10 shooting from the field.
The Hornets (0-6) led 40-35 at the break, and opened up a 47-37 lead on a follow-up basket by Myles Carter at the 17:42 mark of the second half. Carter tallied 15 points and led all players with a career-high 10 rebounds.
The Eagles outscored DSU 18-7 over the next five minutes, and pulled ahead 55-54 on a three-pointer by Clayton with 12:28 left to play.
The Hornets answered with a 14-3 run and tied its biggest lead of the game at 10 points, 68-58, after a jumper by Martaz Robinson (six points) with 7:13 remaining in the game.
Coppin State (2-8) began its comeback by scoring 16 of the next 21 points, and regaining the lead 74-73 on a jumper by Clayton at the 3:00 mark of the second half.
After Baucum nailed an elbow jumper to put DSU back in front 75-74 with 2:20 left, the Eagles scored 10 of the next 12 points to take control for good.
Kyle Cardaci was second on the Eagles with 15 points on five-for-seven shooting from the field, each from three-point range.
Pinky Wiley (sr.) scored 13 points and led the Hornets with four assists.
Delaware State outshot the Eagles 42.9% to 42.1% for the game. The Hornets connected on 30 of their 70 shots from the field, included 10 of 28 on three-point attempts (35.7%). Coppin State was successful on 24 of its 57 shots, including nine of 29 from beyond the arc (31.0%).
The Hornets also won the rebound battle 47-36.
Free throw shooting was a big factor in the contest. Delaware State was whistled for 30 fouls, resulting in 42 free throws for the Eagles (29-42). Coppin State was called for 15 fouls. The Hornets were eight for 11 at the charity stripe.
The Hornets and Eagles will play again Tuesday evening (Jan. 5) at PEC Arena. The teams are also scheduled to meet this season on Feb. 27 and 28 in Dover, Del.