NORFOLK, VA --The Delaware State men's basketball team fell to the North Carolina Central Eagles 79-77 at Scope Arena Thursday on Isaac Parson's buzzer-beating shot with just one second left in the game.
The Hornets (16-14) had four players score in double figures, led by Muneer Newton, who had 27 points and nine rebounds. Martaz Robinson added 20 points and six rebounds and Robert Smith helped out with 11 points and three steals.
Delaware State out-rebounded North Carolina Central 29-26 in Thursday's game, paced by Newton's nine boards. The Hornets also collected 14 offensive rebounds and scored 24 second chance points.
The Delaware State defense caused its share of mistakes in Thursday's game, forcing 17 North Carolina Central turnovers while committing 11. Those takeaways turned into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Smith led the way individually for the Hornets with three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 35-26, Delaware State went on a 5-0 run with 58 seconds left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Newton, to narrow its deficit to 35-31, a score that would hold until halftime.
North Carolina Central kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 69-61 advantage before Delaware State went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Newton's jumper, to shrink the deficit to 69-67 with 3:46 to go in the contest. The Hornets were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 79-77. Delaware State took care of business in the paint, recording 26 of its 46 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» Delaware State lost on a last-second shot by Isaac Parson.
»
Muneer Newton,
Martaz Robinson, and
Robert Smith combined to account for 75 percent of the Hornets points.
» Delaware State lost despite a 29-26 rebounding advantage.
» The Delaware State defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Delaware State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Muneer Newton had a game-high 27 points and Martaz Robinson added 20.
» Delaware State got a game-high nine rebounds from Muneer Newton.
