University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
2-1
East Carolina
5-0
Blue Hens Comeback Cut Short by East Carolina, 68-58
11/22/2015 5:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Boxscore (.html) | Boxscore (.pdf)
NEWARK, Del. – Delaware erased a 21-point deficit in the second half and came within two with less than three minutes remaining, but East Carolina knocked down free throws late to defeat the Blue Hens, 68-58, Sunday afternoon at the Bob Carpenter Center.
The Pirates (5-0) led, 51-30, with 5:54 on the clock in the third period before the Hens (2-1) fought back through a 20-3 run over the next nine minutes.
A layup at 2:25 from senior Alecia Bell (Newport News, Va./Woodside) cut ECU's lead to 59-57, but the Pirates held UD to just one free throw in the concluding minutes.
Freshman Nicole Enabosi (at left; Gaithersburg, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) posted her third straight double double and finished the game with a season-best 23 points and 10 rebounds. She also led all players with four steals in addition to a blocked shot and assist in 32 minutes of action.
Junior Erika Brown (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) collected 16 points for the second consecutive game while redshirt sophomore Sadé Chatman (below right; St. Paul, Minn./St. Paul Central) picked up eight points, four rebounds, a blocked shot and a steal.
Jada Payne notched her fourth double double of the year with 25 points and 17 rebounds while I'Tiana Taylor logged 11 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.
“I'm frustrated, but not discouraged. We had a chance to steal one at home, but that's a very experienced ECU team and we couldn't get it done. We'll get better; I think this group has a lot to look forward to. We'll continue to grown and learn and we have the potential to be a very good basketball team. This tough game will help us in the long run.”
Junior Guard Erika Brown
“We were down at least 20 to a good team and came back. We're a very different team than we were last year. This year, we have a lot more fight and we don't give up. I think the difference in the second half was we started to press and moved to a zone defensively. This startled them and they didn't know what to do. Our zone is a work in programs, but today was the best we've played it so far this season and it helped us get back in the game.”
Freshman Forward Nicole Enabosi
“Our intensity in the second half was amazing. We had the fire in us and as the game continued, we knew we couldn't back down. We kept fighting, kept our composure and stuck together as a team. There were some good things and some bad things that we did in this game, but we'll learn from this experience. I think we're in a good situation as a team. We just need to continue to keep working hard.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· Nicole Enabosi became the lone player in program history to record double doubles in each of her first three career games in a Delaware uniform. Colleen McNamara previously posted two straight to start her career in 1991.
· Delaware shot a season best .697 (23-33) from the free throw line.
· The Blue Hens are now 1-2 all-time against East Carolina.
· UD will play its next six games on the road before returning to the Bob Carpenter Center on Dec. 22.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
· Friday, November 27 – Delaware vs. Wisconsin at San Diego State Thanksgiving Classic – 7 p.m. – Viejas Arena (San Diego, Calif.)
· Sunday, November 29 – Delaware vs. North Dakota State at San Diego State Thanksgiving Classic – 3 p.m. – Viejas Arena (San Diego, Calif.)
· Thursday, December 3 – Delaware at Fordham – 7 p.m. – Rose Hill Gym (Bronx, N.Y.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 920-912-6635
