Women’s Basketball Close Out Non-Conference Road Slate at Northwestern

Saturday, December 11

Evanston, Ill.

3 P.M. EST/2 P.M. CST

University of Delaware

6-4,0-0CAA

Northwestern

7-3,1-0Big Ten

Delaware

Northwestern

Women’s Basketball Close Out Non-Conference Road Slate at Northwestern

12/11/2021 5:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

EVANSTON, ILL. – The University of Delaware women's basketball team closed out its non-conference road slate against Northwestern (7-3) Saturday afternoon with a 76-53 setback inside Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill. The Blue Hens are now 6-4 on the young season.

Tyi Skinner found a running Tara Cousins who then took one dribble and pulled up for two at the 9:04 mark to give Delaware the early 2-0 lead. Veronica Burton finished a three-point play to put Northwestern in the scoring column, 3-2. With 4:38 showing on the opening quarter clock, Maddie Sims called backboard to give the Blue Hens the 7-6 lead. The Wildcats responded by scoring seven unanswered points to close out the quarter with the 13-7 advantage.

After saving a loose ball, Makayla Pippin dished out an assist to Skinner to trim Northwestern's lead to six, 15-9. From 8:12 to 44 seconds, Northwestern put together an 18-7 spurt, headlined by Caileigh Walsh's eight points, to send the 33-16 game into the break.

After Burton laid in two to open the third-quarter scoring, Jewel Smalls knocked down a triple at the 8:18 mark to ignite a 10-4 Blue Hen run making it a 39-26 game. Over the next 5:09, the Wildcats answered back with a 12-5 run to see their lead balloon to 20 points, 51-31.

Northwestern used a 14-4 run to go up, 65-45, with 7:14 remaining in the final quarter. Over the final 6:36, Delaware outscored the Wildcats 18-11, thanks for Skinner and Smalls combining for 13 points, to settle the 76-53 final.

Smalls paced Delaware with season highs of 15 points (5-of-7 3FG), seven rebounds and three assists. Battle followed with 10 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals while Skinner tied her career-best by dishing out seven assists.

Walsh finished with 18 points (3-of-6 3FG), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks in Northwestern's win. Burton added 17 points (6-of-9 FG, 2-of-3 3FG, 3-of-3 FT), six assists, five rebounds and four steals. Melannie Daley (5-of-8 FG, four rebounds, two assists) and Laya Hartman (5-of-9 FG, eight rebounds, four assists) both poured in 12 points.

Delaware shot 30.3 percent (20-of-66) from the field, 26.7 percent (8-of-30) from beyond the arc and 38.5 percent (5-of-13) from the free-throw line. Northwestern connected on 45 percent (27-of-60) from the field, 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from three-point territory and 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from the charity stripe. The Wildcats held the rebound margin advantage (43-37) while the Blue Hens scored 12 second-chance points off of 12 offensive rebounds. Northwestern outplayed Delaware in assists (19-16), steals (8-8), points in the paint (30-20), fast break points (19-7) and bench points (27-10) while scoring 20 points off of 15 Blue Hen turnovers. Delaware led the way in blocks (4-3) and both teams were even with eight steals apiece.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Blue Hens will return to campus on Dec. 22 to close out its non-conference schedule against former conference foe VCU inside Bob Carpenter Center. Opening tip is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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