University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Temple
Erika Brown Takes Charge in Second Half to Lead Blue Hens to 69-58 Win at Temple for 700th Program Victory
12/3/2014 10:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – The University of Delaware women's basketball team came out of the halftime break with a vengeance and outscored Temple University by 14 points in the second half to defeat the Owls, 69-58, Wednesday evening for the program's 700th victory.
Sophomore Erika Brown (Haledon, N.J./Paterson Kennedy) led Delaware by tying a career-high with 23 points in addition to collecting three assists and three rebounds.
The guard sparked a second half comeback by scoring eight points in the first three minutes coming out of the break to put the Blue Hens ahead, 38-30.
Delaware (3-3) went up by as much as 13 and never relinquished a double-figure margin over Temple (3-4) in the final four minutes.
Junior Courtni Green (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) followed a career-performance against Vermont with 19 points against the Owls.
Senior Stephanie Leon (Northport, N.Y./Northport) guided the UD defense with a career-best nine rebounds in addition to four blocked shots.
Freshman Makeda Nicholas (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) recorded another solid game with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Feyonda Fitzgerald tallied 15 points for the Owls while Alliya Butts registered 10 in the loss. Tanaya Atkinson and Erica Covile brought down 15 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
“Our defense was the most important thing tonight and really set the tone. Our kids kept their composure and we saw a lot of growth and improvement from this group. This was a whole team effort, and that's really what it takes – everyone knowing their role and playing their part. This is a big, solid win on the road for us and I couldn't be prouder of this group.
Sophomore Erika Brown
“I know that people are starting to scout that I can drive to the rim, so I've started to work on taking the pull-up shot. With this, I'm able to read the defense and play to the weakness of that particular play. I have to take what the defense gives me. We had a couple of defensive breakdowns tonight, but that's going to happen. We have to stay in it and get stops. We're learning to keep our heads up as the game isn't over until it's over.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· The Blue Hens are now 700-449 (.609) in 44 seasons of program history.
· Delaware snapped a three-game losing streak to the Owls and evened the all-time series at 11-11.
· The last time UD defeated TU came on December 5, 1992 as the Hens collected a 74-53 win at home.
· The Blue Hens are 2-2 on the road this season.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
· Sunday, December 7 – Bucknell at Delaware – 3 p.m. – Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Del.) – Ronald McDonald Wish List Drive
· Tuesday, December 16 – Princeton at Delaware – 7 p.m. – Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Del.)
· Friday, December 19 – Delaware vs. Northern Kentucky – 7 p.m. – Fifth Third Arena (Cincinnati, Ohio)
