Orangeburg, SC --The Delaware State women's basketball team got a 19-point performance from the bench, but fell 68-62 to the South Carolina State Bulldogs on the road Saturday.

The Hornets (3-13, 0-3) had two players score in double figures, led by Mahogany Cottingham, who had 21 points and two steals. Kiarra Mcelrath tacked on 12 points and two steals and Najah Lane added eight points and three steals.

The Delaware State defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 16 South Carolina State turnovers while committing eight. Those takeaways turned into 12 points on the other end of the floor. Lane's three steals led the way individually for the Hornets.

 

How It Happened

After falling behind 6-3, Delaware State went on a 5-0 run with 6:33 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Ericka Huggins, to take an 8-6 lead. The Hornets then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 19-15.

South Carolina State kept adding to that lead, building a 25-18 advantage before Delaware State went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Lane, to tie the game at 25. South Carolina State then took control, putting the Hornets at a 35-27 disadvantage heading into halftime.

South Carolina State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 43-29 advantage before Delaware State went on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Brooke Barnes, to trim its deficit to 43-39 with 3:22 to go in the third. The Hornets were unable to cut further into the deficit, but did not cede ground to South Carolina State either and entered the fourth quarter trailing 47-43. Delaware State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 16 points in the paint.

South Carolina State kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 66-56 advantage before Delaware State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Kiarra McElrath's three, to shrink the deficit to 66-62 with seven seconds to go in the contest. South Carolina State responded and outscored the Hornets the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 68-62. Delaware State got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring four fast break points.

 

Game Notes

» The Delaware State bench came alive by adding 19 points to its scoring output.
» The Delaware State defense forced 16 turnovers.
» The Hornets were led by Mahogany Cottingham with 21 points.
» Delaware State got a team-high seven rebounds from Circe Rubio Remolar.

Up Next..
The Hornets take the court again on Monday, January 13th on the road against North Carolina Central University at 5:30p.m.