University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
2-0
American
1-1
Gritty Defense Saves the Day as Delaware Knocks Off American 56-55 in Overtime
11/16/2016 9:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
• Boxscore
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Defense saved the day for the University of Delaware Wednesday night as the Blue Hens toughed out a 56-55 overtime victory over American University in women's basketball action at Bender Arena.
After overcoming a four-point deficit with five minutes left in regulation to force overtime, the Hens continued to clamp down on American in the extra session to pull out the hard-fought victory and improve to 2-0 on the young season.
American (1-1) had the chance to win twice in the final seconds but Emily Kinneston missed a short jumper under duress with four seconds left and then misfired on a three-pointer from the top of the key as the buzzer sounded, much to the delight of the relieved Blue Hens.
Forward Sadé Chatman led the Hens with 17 points and her defense was even more important as she had a hand in the face of Kinneston on the final shot.
Forward Nicole Enabosi added 14 points and eight boards for the Hens while guard Hannah Jardine came off the bench to add 12 points. Enabosi's jumper with 3:40 left in overtime put the Hens up for good at 55-53. A Makeda Nicholas free throw with 2:57 left provided the final margin.
Tina MartinCecily Carl led American with 15 points while Kinneston finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
After American took a 16-13 lead after one period, the Hens and their stingy defense outscored the Eagles 20-7 in the second quarter for a 33-23 lead at the break. Enabosi scored a team-high nine points in just eight minutes to lead the way.
American used a 14-8 advantage in the third quarter to pull to within 41-37 and finally took its first lead of the second half when Kinneston finished off a three-point play for a 42-41 lead with 8:14 left.
The Eagles then led for the next four minutes before an Enabosi three-point play gave the Hens a 49-47 lead with 4:25 left in regulation. The score was knotted twice after that and Delaware had the chance to win in regulatoin but Chatman's three-point attempt to beat the shot clock was well off the mark to force the extra session.
After Carl scored for American just 12 seconds into overtime for a 53-51 lead, Chatman tied it up with a jumper and Enabosi put the Hens up for good with 3:40 left.
HEN SCRATCHINGS:
• Hens will return to action Saturday when they host St. Bonaventure at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader witih the UD football team hosting Villanova at 3:30 p.m. Football fans can receive free admission to women's basketball by showing their ticket stub.
• Delaware has now defeated American four straight times and seven times in the last eight meetings
• Chatman and Enabosi have scored in double figures in each of the Hens' first two games
• Hens are 2-0 for the second straight year and are looking to open 3-0 for the first time since going 10-0 in 2011-12
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
