Blue Hens Fall at UNCW, 70-68, in CAA Opener

Wednesday, December 29

Wilmington, NC

7:00 PM

University of Delaware

9-5,0-1CAA

UNCW

7-5,1-0CAA

Delaware

UNCW

Photo by: Joe Browning/UNCW Athletics

12/29/2021 10:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Jalen Sims hit two free throws with three seconds left before Ebby Asamoah missed a contested three-pointer at the buzzer as UNCW edged Delaware, 70-68, in both teams' CAA opener Wednesday night at Trask Coliseum.

The game was tied with a minute left when Sims made a steal, was fouled and hit two free throws to put the Seahawks ahead. Dylan Painter answered with a pair of foul shots with 20 seconds left to pull the Blue Hens even, but Sims was fouled on a drive to the basket with 3.1 seconds on the clock.

Sims then drained two free throws, while Asamoah's three-point attempt from the left wing at the buzzer was off the mark.

Sims and Shykeim Phillips each finished with 17 points while Mike Okauru added 15 for UNCW, which won its fourth consecutive game.

Painter posted game-highs of 22 points and nine rebounds for the Blue Hens, while Ryan Allen contributed 17 points. Jameer Nelson, Jr. chipped in eight points and seven boards, while Kevin Anderson also finished with eight points.

UNCW scored seven consecutive points to jump out to a 24-15 lead, but Delaware battled back to pull even at 30-30 on an Allen three-pointer. Amari Kelly answered with a layup for the Seahawks, before Painter converted a layup in the final minute as the teams headed to the break tied at 32-32.

An early six-point Blue Hens' run in the second half gave Delaware a 39-36 advantage and forced a UNCW timeout with 16:22 remaining. The teams then traded the lead over the next eight minutes, but after an Asamoah three-pointer put UD up a pair, the Seahawks answered with a six-point spurt to go up 57-53 with 7:40 to play.

UNCW was still up five before Allen converted a layup and then buried a three-pointer to knot the game at 62-62 with four minutes left. Asamoah drilled a three-pointer to give Delaware a 65-64 lead at the 2:23 mark, while an Allen free throw tied the game at 66-66 a minute later. However Sims then hit four free throws in the final minute to give the Seahawks the win.

Martin Ingelsby
"We battled tonight but didn't have enough to slow them down on the defensive end. We have to do a better job of guarding the basketball. I thought we took some quick shots which led to their easy baskets, and gave up too many offensive rebounds. We need to have a short-term memory because we turn around and play again on Friday."

For the latest on the Delaware men's basketball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter and Instagram @DelawareMBB, and like "Delaware Men's Basketball" on Facebook.