University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
2-1
Fairleigh Dickinson
1-4
Blue Hens Hang on Down Stretch, Defeat FDU 73-72 on Late Hayes Free Throw
11/24/2015 9:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
• Boxscore
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware had a tough night at the foul line Tuesday in their season opener, but they made the one that really counted.
Delaware junior guard Cazmon Hayes made one of three free throws with just .9 seconds left to play as the Blue Hens hung on for a thrilling 73-72 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson in their home opener at the Bob Carpenter Center.
FDU (1-4) had tied the game for the 12th time at 72-72 on two free throws by Stephan Jiggetts with nine seconds left to play. Delaware brought the ball down for the final shot and Hayes was fouled on a 
three-point attempt deep in the left corner by Marques Townes with less than a second remaining.
After missing the first two attempts, Hayes drained the final one to clinch the win. FDU could not get a shot up before the final buzzer, giving the Hens their first win over the Knights in three tries and avenging a two-point loss last season.
Delaware (2-1), which improved to 16-8 all-time in home openers at the BCC, managed to hit just 17 of 34 free throws on the night, including just 9 of 21 in the second half.
The Hens had entered the game ranked first in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 77 percent success rate.
However, the Hens made up for it on the boards as they dominated in the rebounding department by a wide 48-33 margin.
"What we did tonight was win and that was the only thing we did," said Delaware head coach Monté Ross. "What we showed tonight is not how we practiced. So although I'm happy with the win, I am disappointed in the way we played. Our turnovers (12) and missed free throws are just unacceptable."
Blue Hen sophomore point guard Kory Holden led Delaware with a team-high 21 points, pulled five rebounds, and dished out six assists while senior forward Marvin King-Davis (#21 above) recorded his second double-double in three games with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and junior center Maurice Jeffers contributed 11 points and nine rebounds.
FDU got a career-high 22 points from Jiggetts, including hitting 9 of 14 from the foul line, a season-high 21 points nine rebounds from Earl Potts Jr., and nine points and six assists from Townes. Potts was among three Knights players who fouled out in the second half.
Delaware used a late flurry to take a 37-29 lead at halftime and stayed in front until the 16:02 mark of the second half when FDU's Darian Anderson tied the game at 41-41.
Nearly two minutes later FDU took its first lead of the half at 45-44 on a layup from Townes with 14:46 remaining.
The Blue Hens regained the lead and stayed in front until a Potts three-pointer with 6:36 left put the Knights up 60-58. The game featured six ties and four lead changes the rest of the way.
Townes tied the game at 70-70 on a layup with 1:20 left but UD answered with single free throws by Jeffers and King-Davis to go up 72-70 with 20 seconds left.
HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• The Blue Hens will continue action Sunday at Temple before returning home for games vs. first-time opponents Bradley and South Florida next week at the BCC
• Delaware had lost each of its last two home openers - to Army last year and to Charleston Southern in 2013
• Holden (at right) recorded his fifth career 20-point effort thanks to five three-pointers
• King-Davis now has five career double-doubles
