University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Dominate on the Boards, Cruise Past St. Bonaventure 61-49 to Remain Unbeaten
11/27/2011 10:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OLEAN, N.Y. -- Off to a 4-0 start for the second straight year, the University of Delaware women's basketball team dominated on the boards to pick up a 61-49 non-league win over host St. Bonaventure Sunday afternoon at the Reilly Center.
In sight of a potential first-ever Top 25 national ranking this week, the Blue Hens (4-0) held a commanding 48-24 rebound advantage over the Bonnies, including 17 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second-chance points compared with just three for St. Bonaventure.
“I'm happy about our double-digit win,” said Delaware head coach Tina Martin. “We knew coming in this would be a difficult game. Overall, the girls did a very good job, but it's still a young season and we have some challenges ahead of us.”
Delaware All-American Elena Delle Donne recorded her second double-double of the season as she dropped in a game-high 26 points and pulled down 18 rebounds, tying her career-high in a single game. She added three assists, three blocks, and a steal to help lead the Blue Hens to victory.
Danielle Parker (at right) was one-point shy of recording a double-double as she grabbed 12 rebounds and scored nine points for the Blue Hens while Lauren Carra scored a season-high 15 points and grabbed three rebounds.
“The camaraderie we have with our team is great,” said Parker, a junior forward. “The best part about our team is that we have the same mindset and goals. I'm glad that I still have another year so that I can be a leader and still play next year.”
St. Bonaventure (4-1), which started off the season with four straight wins, including victories over Big East opponents St. John's and West Virginia, suffered its first loss of the season. Seniors Jessica Jenkins and Megan Van Tatenhove were the only two players with double-digit numbers for the Bonnies as Jenkins had 12 points and Van Tatenhove chipped in with 11 points and a team-best six boards.
The Hens used their huge 11-0 opening run to control the game, never relinquishing the lead or allowing the Bonnies to get within five points the rest of the way. Carra had seven points during the run while Parker came up with a conventional three-point play to help put Delaware up 11-0 just three minutes into the game.
St. Bonaventure answered back to tighten the score at 16-11, but the Hens responded with another big run as they scored eight straight points to make it 24-11. Delle Donne drained a long three-pointer and snagged a steal to highlight the run.
Delaware led by as much as 16 in the first half and held a 32-19 halftime lead. The Hens upped the margin to as many as 17 points at 47-30 on a Delle Donne layup with 10:03 left to play, and never were seriously threatened the rest of the afternoon.
The Bonnies reduced their deficit to single digits three times in the second half, but came up short each time after the Hens answered to quickly regain their double-digit lead. Offensive rebounds were the key to the Delaware victory as the Hens grabbed 48 total rebounds, including 17 on the offensive end. St. Bonaventure managed just 24 total rebounds.
With 6:18 left in the game, St. Bonaventure rallied to reduce the deficit to nine points at 51-42 after a Jenkins three-pointer, but Richards, Delle Donne, and Parker each made a field goal to push the lead back to a more comfortable 15 points at 61-46.
The Blue Hens overcame 15 turnovers and a tough shooting performance, hitting just 24 of 61 shots (39.3 percent), to pick up the win.
The victory set up a huge matchup this Thursday, Dec. 1, when the Hens travel to Ivy League power Princeton for a game featuring two of the top mid-major programs in the country. Delaware looks to start the season off to a 5-0 start for the second straight year. The Tigers are 6-0 following a 75-55 win over Rider Sunday afternoon.
