Durham, NC --The Delaware State women's basketball team took a 57-52 advantage into the fourth quarter, but could not hang on and fell 76-71 to the North Carolina Central Eagles on the road Monday.

The Hornets (3-14, 0-4) had four players score in double figures, led by Mahogany Cottingham, who had 20 points and three steals. Kiarra Mcelrath tacked on 18 points and four steals and Circe Rubio Remolar helped out with a double-double with 11 points and 17 rebounds.

Delaware State collected 47 rebounds in Monday's game compared to North Carolina Central's 39, led by Rubio Remolar's 17 boards. The Hornets also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 21 rebounds into 17 second chance points.

The Delaware State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Monday's game, forcing 22 North Carolina Central turnovers while committing 21. Those takeaways turned into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Mcelrath's four steals led the way individually for the Hornets.

 

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 13-10 advantage, Delaware State went on a 5-0 run with 2:47 left in the first quarter to increase its lead to 18-10. The Hornets then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 22-15 advantage. Delaware State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 22 points close to the basket.

North Carolina Central fought back to tie the game at 28-28 before Delaware State went on a 6-0 run starting at the 3:36 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Kiarra McElrath, to take a 34-28 lead. The Eagles cut into that lead, but the Hornets still enjoyed a 36-35 advantage heading into halftime. Delaware State saw non-starters score four of its 14 total points off the bench in the quarter.

Delaware State surrendered its halftime lead until, with the game tied at 46-46 they went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Rubio Remolar, to grab a 52-46 lead with 2:44 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 57-52 edge. Delaware State knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 21 total points.

The Eagles proceeded to tie things up at 59-59 before Delaware State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by McKenzie Stewart's jumper, to seize a 65-59 lead with 5:17 to go in the contest. North Carolina Central then asserted control, outscoring the Hornets 17-6 the rest of the way to hand Delaware State the 76-71 loss. Delaware State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 14 points in the paint.

 

Game Notes

» Circe Rubio Remolar notched a double-double for the Hornets with 11 points and 17 rebounds.
» Delaware State lost despite a 47-39 rebounding advantage.
» The Delaware State defense forced 22 turnovers.
» Delaware State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 21 offensive boards in the game.
»The Hornets were led by Mahogany Cottingham with 20 points.
» Circe Rubio Remolar nabbed a game-high 17 rebounds to lead Delaware State and McKenzie Stewart contributed 13.


Up Next..
The Hornets take the court again on Saturday, January 25th on the road against UMES at 2:00p.m.