BALTIMORE, MD --The Delaware State women's basketball team got a 29-point performance from the bench on the way to a 74-59 win over the Morgan State Lady Bears on the road Saturday.
The Hornets (5-21, 2-9) had two players score in double figures, led by Jermesha Frierson, who had 20 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Amya Scott tacked on 15 points and two steals off the bench and Nykesha Sanders added eight points and six assists.
Toni Smith pulled down four offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Delaware State, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into seven second chance points.
Delaware State forced 14 Morgan State turnovers. The Hornets turned those takeaways into 13 points on the offensive end of the floor. Aniyah Jones led the way individually with two steals.
How It Happened
Delaware State started out the scoring by going on a 7-0 run, culminating in a three from Frierson, to take an early lead with 8:17 left in the first quarter. The Hornets then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 21-13 advantage. Delaware State capitalized on five Morgan State turnovers in the period, turning them into seven points on the other end of the floor.
Delaware State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 5:00 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Nevaeh Reaves, to increase its lead to 30-21. The Lady Bears cut into that lead, but the Hornets still enjoyed a 36-28 advantage heading into halftime. Delaware State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.
Delaware State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Scott, to expand its lead further to 45-35 with 4:19 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Lady Bears had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Hornets still entered the fourth quarter with a 53-47 edge. Delaware State's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled 11 of the team's 17 third-quarter points.
Delaware State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 62-52 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Scott's jumper, to grow the lead to 70-52 with 2:44 to go in the contest. The Lady Bears narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Hornets still cruised the rest of the way for the 74-59 win. Delaware State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 21 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Hornets never trailed after taking a 21-13 first quarter lead.
» The Delaware State bench made an impact by scoring 29 points to its scoring output.
» Delaware State had a 34-29 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Delaware State defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Delaware State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Jermesha Frierson led the Hornets with a game-high 20 points.
» Delaware State got a game-high nine rebounds from Jermesha Frierson.
UP NEXT... The Hornets host South Carolina State University on Thursday, February 26th, at 6:00 p.m.
