Lynchburg, Va. (Nov. 26, 2022) --- For the second year in a row, the Delaware State men's basketball team was frustrated by hot-shooting Liberty University in a road contest. The Flames hit 19 of their 29 first half shots (65.5%), including 10-of-16 on three-point attempts (62.5%), to highlight their 80-53 victory over the Hornets at Liberty Arena today. Darius McGhee led Liberty with a game-high 23 points on nine-for-13 shooting from the field, five three-pointers on eight attempts. Khyrie Staten was the only Delaware State player in double-figures with 16 points. Staten hit six of his 11 shots, highlighted by a career-best four three-pointers on five tries. Aaron Lemon-Warren came off the bench to add eight points, while reserve O'Koye Parker chipped in with seven for the Hornets. After Delaware State took its only lead of the game, 5-3, on a bucket by Staten less than three minutes into the contest, Liberty answered with an 18-2 run, and opened up a 21-7 advantage on a bucket by Blake Preston at the 10:31 mark of the first half. The Flames stretched their lead to 33-11 on a three-ball by Colin Porter with 7:38 to go in the half. Liberty was ahead 49-26 at the break. The hot first-half shooting by the Flames overshadowed Delaware State's respectable 11-for-22 performance from the field, including 4-of-9 on three-pointers, in the opening 20 minutes. The second half was more competitive, with Liberty only outscoring the Hornets 31-27. Delaware State won the rebound battle 37-34, but committed 17 turnovers to eight for the Flames.
The Hornets will wrap up a five-game road swing with a visit to St. Francis College Brooklyn on Wednesday (Nov. 30). Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Delaware State returns home next Saturday (Dec. 3) to take on Longwood University. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall (Bayhealth Court). The start time for the Hornets' nationally-televised home contest against Georgian Court on Dec. 10 has been changed from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall.