Villanova, Pa. (Nov. 14, 2022) --- Delaware State held a lead for the first 26 minutes of the game before Villanova clawed back for a 60-50 victory over the Hornets at Finneran Pavillion this evening. The Wildcats, a 2021-22 NCAA Tournament Final 4 team,  trailed by 10 points on four occasions in the first half, but outscored the Hornets 30-16 over the last 14 minutes to improve to 2-1 this season.
Eric Dixon led Villanova with a game-high 17 points (7-12 FG), while teammate Brandon Slater added 12 points, highlighted by 12-for-12 shooting at the free throw line.
Khyrie Staten led a balanced Delaware State attack with 10 points, while Brandon Stone added nine and Cameron Stitt came off the bench to chip in seven for the Hornets.
The Wildcats took 25 free throws in the game, hitting 21, while the Hornets went to the line four times, connecting on each.  
Delaware State (1-2) scored the first five points of the game on a basket by Martaz Robinson (jr.) and a three-pointer by Jevin Muniz (fr.), and opened up a 12-2 lead after a three-pointer by Staten five minutes into the contest.
After Villanova pulled to within 14-8, Brandon Stone  and Kyle Johnson hit back-to-back baskets to put the Hornets up by 10 again.
Delaware State also held 10-point leads later in the first half, 20-10 on two free throws by Kyle Johnson, and 22-12, on a jump hook by Raymond Somerville at the nine-minute mark.
The Hornets were outscored 12-5  the remainder of the half, as the Wildcats cut the deficit to 27-24 at the break.
Delaware State stayed on  top for the first four-plus minutes of the seconds half, and led 34-30 on two free throws by Stone with 15:21 left to play.
Villanova answered with a three-pointer by Caleb Daniels, and led for the first time in the game, 35-34, on a jumper by Mark Armstrong at the 14:03 mark of the second half.
After the Hornets regained the lead on a  bucket by Somerville, the Wildcats scored the next five points to take the lead for good.
Delaware State trailed 44-40 when Stitt nailed a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one with 8:09 left.
The Hornets only trailed 51-48 before the Cats scored nine of the last 11 points to end the game.
Villanova hit five of their 11 three-point shots in the second half after missing on 16 attempts in the first 20 minutes.
Delaware State held a slight edge in rebounding 28-27. Stone led the Hornets with a game-high eight boards.
The Hornets return to action on Wed. (Nov. 16) at Columbia in New York.