University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
William & Mary
Delaware Storms Back To Down Tribe 84-80 for CAA Win
1/21/2015 9:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware stormed back from a 16-point second half deficit and got another big effort down the stretch from freshman guard Kory Holden to knock off William & Mary 84-80 in a Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball classic showdown Wednesday night at the Bob Carpenter Center.
Holden scored 20 of his points 24 points in the second half, dished out a career-high nine assists, connected on 9 of 13 shots from the field, drained 6 of 8 free throws, and committed just one turnover 
to lead the way. He was one of four Blue Hens in double figures as senior Kyle Anderson scored a season-high 23 points, including 14 in the second half, Cazmon Hayes (left) netted 13 points, and Marvin King-Davis contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Delaware (4-14, 3-4 CAA), which bounced back from a tough 66-62 setback to Drexel Sunday afternoon, scored a season-high 84 points and shot 69 percent from the field in the second stanza, draining 20 of 29 shots. For the game, the Hens shot a season-best 55.9 percent (33 of 59) from the field.
“That was an unbelievable effort to come back against a William & Mary team which I consider to be the best in the league," said Delaware head coach Monté Ross. "Our resolve tonight was tremendous. To fight back, make plays, and make shots was phenomenal. We played good basketball to hold them down defensively and then score the ball. We played confidently and I was happy to see that.”
The Hens trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half as the Tribe knocked down 9 of 14 three-point attempts and took a 44-32 lead into the break.
The Hens were still down by 16 points at 58-42 with 14:33 left in the second half before mounting the frantic comeback. Delaware scored 13 straight points - including five by Holden - to narrow the gap to 58-55 with 11:39 remaining and finally gained the lead at 70-69 on a Devonne Pinkard layup with 4:28 left.
Delaware later took the lead for good as Anderson knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 73-73 with 3:27 left, Hayes followed with a layup, and Holden converted a three-point play for a 78-73 
lead. Holden knocked down four free throws in the final 18 seconds, including two with three seconds left, that iced the win.
“We stayed together, played as a team, got great leadership from Kyle (Anderson) and Marvin (King-Davis), and knocked down our free throws at the end," said Holden. "This win gives us a lot of confidence, we just need to play consistent and keep getting better."
Omar Prewitt hit 6 of 9 three-pointers and scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Tribe (11-7, 5-2 CAA), who had a three-game win streak snapped. CAA Preseason Player of the Year Marcus Thornton added 15 points - but just five after halftime - and Terry Tarpey contributed 12 points, a game-high 10 rebounds, and six assists.
Hen Scratchings:
• Delaware has now won 3 of its last 4 games and improved to 3-5 at home
• The Hens' previous season-highs for points and field goal shooting came in an 82-77 win over St. Bonaventure on Dec. 30 when Delaware shot 53.7 percent from the field
• Anderson (at right) was honored prior to the game for becoming Delaware's all-time leader in three-point field goals. He now has 242 for his career
• Delaware has enjoyed great success against William & Mary over the years and has now defeated the Tribe eight straight times and 19 times in the last 21 meetings. The Hens have also won 10 of the last 11 matchups at the BCC
• The game was a rematch of last year's CAA Tournament Championship Game won by the Hens 75-74
• Delaware ended its three-game home stretch and travels to newcomer Elon on Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip
