University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Griffith
Four Takeaways From Delaware's Dramatic Win Over Elon
1/19/2020 1:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Senior forward Jacob Cushing played the hero for Delaware men's basketball Saturday afternoon, draining a three-point shot with five seconds left that gave the Blue Hens a 79-78 win over Colonial Athletic Association rival Elon. Here are four takeaways from Delaware's big conference win:
1. The Biggest Shot Of Jacob Cushing's Career
The Blue Hens had less than 20 seconds on the clock when Justyn Mutts secured a defensive rebound off a missed Elon free throw. As junior guard Ryan Allen took the ball up the court, he drove to his left, drawing a triple-team from Elon's help defense. His path to the rim cut off, Allen turned and threw a pass to Cushing, who had floated unmarked to the top of the key. Cushing fired a shot immediately, watching the ball make its way to the bottom of the net as a Phoenix defender ran into his legs on a close out.
The Blue Hens locked down on defense, preventing Elon from even getting a shot off before the final buzzer sounded.
"It meant a lot, mostly because it was just a huge win, a win that we really needed," Cushing said. "I always stay confident with my game and I'm always confident in my jump shot. It's just a matter of staying focused and locked in all the time."
Cushing's minutes have been sparse this season; he went a seven-game stretch from Dec. 14 to Jan. 9 without seeing any game action. But in Thursday's loss to league-leading William & Mary, he threw down an alley-oop dunk late in the game that cut the Tribe lead to just five points. Saturday, he finished with six points in 12 minutes played, including the three biggest points of his career.
"I give Jake a lot of credit, he didn't pout, he had a great attitude. He continued to work every day at practice, getting additional reps up," head coach Martin Ingelsby said. "He stayed ready."
"A lot of guys just put their head down," junior guard Nate Darling said. "But he came in, he's taking advantage of this opportunity, he's hitting big shots and he's playing his role. It's fun, I'm really happy for him."
2. The Resurgence Of Justyn Mutts
Mutts, always an energetic defender, had been going through a rough patch offensively, fouling out of Thursday's game with no points. But the athletic forward got back in the groove Saturday, going to work down low and scoring Delaware's first eight points of the game with a variety of nice post moves. Mutts finished with 17 points, his highest point total since the CAA opener against UNCW.
"I'm just trying to play my game. These guys are getting me the ball at a spot that I like to get it, so I'm just trying to do what they need me to do," Mutts said. "The last game I wasn't really on it, but trying to lock back in now."
"I told him after the game, 'Welcome back,'" Ingelsby said. "We need that Justyn Mutts. To be able to score and the activity, he's rebounding the basketball. When we have that out of him we're a little more versatile on the offensive end."
3. Three-Point Shooting
In addition to Cushing's game-winner, the Blue Hens went 13-for-28 from beyond the arc Saturday, a shooting percentage of .464. That's the best mark for Delaware since Dec. 28's win over UNCW. The 13 made three-pointers ties a season high for the Hens as well. Darling and Allen each knocked down five treys, including several key shots that kept Delaware in the game in a back-and-forth second half that featured 13 lead changes.
4. Kevin Anderson Stuffed The Stat Sheet
While the junior point guard scored just seven points, he impacted the game in a multitude of other ways. He grabbed a season- and game-high 10 rebounds, all on the defensive end. He also dished a team-high six assists while only turning the ball over once. On the defensive end, Anderson blocked a pair of shots while forcing the Phoenix into several bad looks. This performance followed a game against William & Mary where he dropped 25 points, including a career-high five three-pointers.
1. The Biggest Shot Of Jacob Cushing's Career
The Blue Hens had less than 20 seconds on the clock when Justyn Mutts secured a defensive rebound off a missed Elon free throw. As junior guard Ryan Allen took the ball up the court, he drove to his left, drawing a triple-team from Elon's help defense. His path to the rim cut off, Allen turned and threw a pass to Cushing, who had floated unmarked to the top of the key. Cushing fired a shot immediately, watching the ball make its way to the bottom of the net as a Phoenix defender ran into his legs on a close out.
Three-pointer by @jacob_cushing22 puts the #BlueHens in front in the final seconds! pic.twitter.com/xzgU83Lj3A
— Delaware Men's Basketball (@DelawareMBB) January 18, 2020
The Blue Hens locked down on defense, preventing Elon from even getting a shot off before the final buzzer sounded.
"It meant a lot, mostly because it was just a huge win, a win that we really needed," Cushing said. "I always stay confident with my game and I'm always confident in my jump shot. It's just a matter of staying focused and locked in all the time."
Cushing's minutes have been sparse this season; he went a seven-game stretch from Dec. 14 to Jan. 9 without seeing any game action. But in Thursday's loss to league-leading William & Mary, he threw down an alley-oop dunk late in the game that cut the Tribe lead to just five points. Saturday, he finished with six points in 12 minutes played, including the three biggest points of his career.
Alley-oop slam by @jacob_cushing22 cuts the #BlueHens deficit to five! pic.twitter.com/sz4FQ36nwi
— Delaware Men's Basketball (@DelawareMBB) January 17, 2020
"I give Jake a lot of credit, he didn't pout, he had a great attitude. He continued to work every day at practice, getting additional reps up," head coach Martin Ingelsby said. "He stayed ready."
"A lot of guys just put their head down," junior guard Nate Darling said. "But he came in, he's taking advantage of this opportunity, he's hitting big shots and he's playing his role. It's fun, I'm really happy for him."
2. The Resurgence Of Justyn Mutts
Mutts, always an energetic defender, had been going through a rough patch offensively, fouling out of Thursday's game with no points. But the athletic forward got back in the groove Saturday, going to work down low and scoring Delaware's first eight points of the game with a variety of nice post moves. Mutts finished with 17 points, his highest point total since the CAA opener against UNCW.
What a start for @JM_Squarepants!
— Delaware Men's Basketball (@DelawareMBB) January 18, 2020
He made his first four shot attempts and has all eight points for the #BlueHens so far. pic.twitter.com/l4pOFGLay9
"I'm just trying to play my game. These guys are getting me the ball at a spot that I like to get it, so I'm just trying to do what they need me to do," Mutts said. "The last game I wasn't really on it, but trying to lock back in now."
"I told him after the game, 'Welcome back,'" Ingelsby said. "We need that Justyn Mutts. To be able to score and the activity, he's rebounding the basketball. When we have that out of him we're a little more versatile on the offensive end."
3. Three-Point Shooting
In addition to Cushing's game-winner, the Blue Hens went 13-for-28 from beyond the arc Saturday, a shooting percentage of .464. That's the best mark for Delaware since Dec. 28's win over UNCW. The 13 made three-pointers ties a season high for the Hens as well. Darling and Allen each knocked down five treys, including several key shots that kept Delaware in the game in a back-and-forth second half that featured 13 lead changes.
Huge three by @_BabyRy_ ties the game again! #BlueHens and Elon knotted at 75-75 in the final minute. pic.twitter.com/IuuF1XpMJP
— Delaware Men's Basketball (@DelawareMBB) January 18, 2020
4. Kevin Anderson Stuffed The Stat Sheet
While the junior point guard scored just seven points, he impacted the game in a multitude of other ways. He grabbed a season- and game-high 10 rebounds, all on the defensive end. He also dished a team-high six assists while only turning the ball over once. On the defensive end, Anderson blocked a pair of shots while forcing the Phoenix into several bad looks. This performance followed a game against William & Mary where he dropped 25 points, including a career-high five three-pointers.
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