DURHAM, North Carolina --Denijsha Wilson put the Delaware State women's basketball team ahead for good with 3:30 to go the extra period to give the Hornets a 75-64 win over the North Carolina Central Eagles on the road Monday.
The Hornets (7-15, 3-6) had three players score in double figures, led by Wilson, who had 21 points, four assists and six steals. Ja-Naiah Perkins-Jackson added 16 points from the bench and Savannah Brooks helped out with 11 points.
Led by McKenzie Stewart's eight offensive rebounds, Delaware State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 21 boards that resulted in 19 second chance points.
The Delaware State defense was a problem in Monday's game, forcing 27 North Carolina Central turnovers while committing 20. Those takeaways turned into 27 points on the other end of the floor. Stewart's six steals led the way individually for the Hornets.
How It Happened
After falling behind 14-10, Delaware State went on a 6-0 run with 1:40 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Kaitlyn Parker, to take a 16-14 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Delaware State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 16 points close to the basket.
Delaware State built that first quarter lead to 19-16 before going on a 10-0 run starting at the 8:14 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Stewart, to increase its lead to 29-16. The Eagles cut into that lead, but the Hornets still enjoyed a 33-25 advantage heading into halftime. Delaware State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 17 points close to the basket.
Delaware State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Brooks, to expand its lead further to 43-36 with 3:45 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Eagles had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Hornets still entered the fourth quarter with a 48-47 edge. Delaware State knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.
North Carolina Central proceeded to take a 55-51 lead before Delaware State went on a 6-0 run to seize a 57-55 lead with 4:06 to go in the fourth. The Eagles then fought back to even things up at 61-61 and send the game to overtime. Delaware State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 13 points in the paint.
Delaware State kept it close before going on an 11-0 run to seize a 74-63 lead with 54 seconds to go in the period. The Hornets held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 75-64 win.  Delaware State had a 49-38 edge on the boards in the win.
The Hornets return home Thursday, February 29 when they host Morgan State University in a make up MEAC Conference game. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
