WASHINGTON, DC --Kiarra Mcelrath scored 31 points, but the Delaware State women's basketball team fell to the Howard Bison 74-66 on the road Saturday.

Mcelrath added four steals to her 31 point game to lead the Hornets (3-11, 0-1). Mahogany Cottingham helped out with 16 points and five assists and McKenzie Stewart chipped in with four points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

The Delaware State defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Howard turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 18 points on the other end of the floor. Mcelrath's four steals led the way individually for the Hornets.

 

How It Happened

After falling behind 8-7, Delaware State went on a 5-0 run with 6:05 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Cottingham, to take a 12-8 lead. The Hornets then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 19-14.

Howard kept adding to that lead, building a 34-21 advantage before Delaware State went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three from Kiarra McElrath, to narrow its deficit to 34-26. Howard responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Hornets trailing 41-32 heading into halftime.

Delaware State's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Hornets faced a 60-45 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Delaware State took advantage of two Howard turnovers in the quarter, scoring four points off of takeaways.

Delaware State narrowed its deficit to 74-60 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Stewart's layup, to shrink the deficit to 74-66 with 25 seconds to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game. Delaware State took advantage of six Howard turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.

 

Game Notes

» The Hornets put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 62 percent of made baskets.
» Kiarra Mcelrath, Mahogany Cottingham, and Circe Rubio Remolar combined to account for 83 percent of the Hornets points.
» The Delaware State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Hornets were led by Kiarra Mcelrath with a game-high 31 points.
» Delaware State got a team-high nine rebounds from McKenzie Stewart.

Up Next..
The Hornets take the court again on Monday, January 6th at home against Norfolk State University at 5:30p.m.