University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
4-1
Michigan State
5-1
No. 24/19 Spartans Down Hens Behind 3-Point Barrage
11/25/2016 10:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Boxscore (.html) | Boxscore (.pdf)
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The Blue Hens held their own down the stretch, but in the end No. 24/19 Michigan State pulled out the 81-64 victory over Delaware in the first game of the CSUN Thanksgiving Classic Friday at The Matadome.
The game was a lot closer than the score indicated as the Spartans knocked down 14 3-pointers, including 11 in the first half. Without the second quarter of play, MSU held just a 52-49 advantage in the game.
Delaware, which had things tied at 21 at the end of the first quarter, trailed by 50-36 at halftime and eventually cut the lead to 10 at 74-64 remaining off the first-career 3-pointer from freshman Rebecca Lawrence (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) with just over two minutes.
Senior Erika Brown (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy) led Hens (4-1) with 15 points while sophomore Nicole Enabosi (Gaithersburg, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) posted nine.
Junior Kiersten West (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) added a career-best seven points and three steals for Delaware.
Juniors Sadé Chatman (St. Paul, Minn./St. Paul Central) and Makeda Nicholas (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) each tallied six points and five rebounds.
Michigan State senior Tori Jankoska led all scorers with a career-best 32 points and eight treys.
The Blue Hens will now play the loser of Friday's second contest between host CSUN and Detroit Mercy on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time.
“While you never want to lose, this was a step forward for us tonight because these ladies played their butts off and really competed against a nationally-ranked Michigan State team. This was a very physical basketball game and our kids did a good job of being relentless under the boards. I saw some real fight in our young ladies and if we can bring that same fight and go after people with no fear, we can do a lot of good things this season. We really need that toughness for the rest of the year. Michigan State is a very good team and I thought we really stepped up to the challenge and fought throughout the entire game.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS
· The Blue Hens had not allowed more than 13 3-point field goals made since St. Francis (Pa.) knocked down 13 on December 20, 2000.
· All 11 Delaware players saw at least two minutes of action against the Spartans.
· Delaware shot a season-high 86.4 percent (19-of-22) from the free throw line.
· Michigan State outrebounded UD, 30-26.
· The Blue Hens bench outscored the Spartans bench, 28-19.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
· Saturday, November 26 – CSUN/Detroit Mercy – 9:30 p.m. ET – CSUN Thanksgiving Classic – The Matadome (Northridge, Calif.)
· Thursday, December 1 – Robert Morris at Delaware – 7 p.m. – Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Del.)
· Sunday, December 4 – Georgetown at Delaware – 2 p.m. – Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Del.)
MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Hayon, Assistant Sports Information Director | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 302-379-9182
