University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
1-16-7 | CAA
UNCW
0-24-9 | CAA
Hens Grab First CAA Victory With 67-59 Decision Over UNCW
1/8/2016 10:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Boxscore (.html) | Boxscore (.pdf)
NEWARK, Del. – After playing eight of their last nine away from the Bob Carpenter Center, the Blue Hens returned home Friday evening and responded with a much-needed 67-59 victory over UNCW.
Delaware, which had lost five of its last six games, snapped a two-game losing streak while earning its first Colonial Athletic Association win of the season. With the victory, the Blue Hens improved to 6-7 on the year and 1-1 in conference play.
Junior Erika Brown (at left; Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) led all scorers for the second straight game with 18 points in addition to three rebounds.
Freshman Hannah Friend (Farmington, Conn./Farmington) tied a season-best with 10 points to go along with six rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals in 23 minutes of action off the bench.
The two teams finished the first quarter tied at 14-apiece before Hens slowly increased their lead as the game continued. The Seahawks (4-9, 0-2 CAA) outscored Delaware, 23-21, in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late as the Blue Hens came away with the victory.
Shatia Cole and Naqaiyyah Teague each collected 16 points while Jordan Henry picked up 10 for UNCW. Teague added a game-best eight rebounds.
“It's been a struggle so far this season. I'm really happy for the kids because we needed this win. I thought the group really rallied around each other tonight. The overall energy was good and we were able to pressure them defensively. Now we need to build on this and be ready to take on Northeastern on Sunday. We're trying to climb our way out of the hole we built for ourselves and we're going to do it through hustle, making shots, enthusiasm and just that stick-to-it-ness.”
Junior Erika Brown
“It really came down to our defense tonight. We switched to a zone and then we were able to get steals and easier baskets. We were able to benefit from our defense.”
Freshman Hannah Friend
“We knew after the Hofstra game that we had to get our stuff together. It was essentially a new season for us as conference play is always different. It was imperative that we get this win. The intensity was probably the highest I've seen it this season. We all had each other's backs and we knew what we needed to get done tonight.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· The Hens forced 20 UNCW turnovers while giving up just nine.
· Delaware led by as much as 18 in the game.
· The Blue Hens were held scoreless for the final 4:38.
· With the win, UD halted a two-game losing streak.
· Delaware has won two straight at home.
· The Blue Hens are now 22-8 all-time against UNCW and have won 10 of the last 11 versus the Seahawks.
· The two teams complete the regular season series on Feb. 28 in Wilmington.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
· Sunday, January 10 – Northeastern at Delaware – 2 p.m. – Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Del.)
· Friday, January 15 – Delaware at College of Charleston – 6:30 p.m. – TD Arena (Charleston, S.C.)
· Sunday, January 17 – Towson at Delaware – 2 p.m. – Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Del.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maggie Hayon | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 920-912-6635
