Delaware's Comeback Falls Short In WNIT Semifinal Against Rice

Friday, March 26

Collierville, Tenn.

5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT

University of Delaware

24-5,16-2CAA

Rice

-224,122 CUSA

Rice

Delaware

Photo by: Ryan Griffith

Delaware's Comeback Falls Short In WNIT Semifinal Against Rice

3/26/2021 7:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Blue Hens finish season at 24-5, the program's best record since 2012-13

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. – Delaware's comeback effort fell just short in the WNIT semifinals, as the Blue Hens lost to Rice, 85-75, Friday evening inside My Town Movers Fieldhouse.

The Blue Hens end the season at 24-5, the best record for the program since the 2012-13 team went to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and finished 32-4. Delaware had never won a WNIT game before winning three this season to secure the Charlotte Region Championship and advance to the semifinals. The Owls improved to 22-4 and advanced to the WNIT Championship Game.

Down by as many as 22 points late in the third quarter, the Blue Hens stormed back and got within seven points in the fourth quarter before Rice knocked down free throws to close the game. Delaware outscored the Owls 49-41 in the second half.

Junior guard and Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Jasmine Dickey led Delaware with a remarkable stat line of 25 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. This was Dickey's 20th 20-point game and 11th double-double of the season.

Junior guard Jewel Smalls knocked down four three-pointers on her way to 12 points and eight rebounds, while senior forward Lizzie Oleary went 6-of-12 from the field for 12 points and seven boards. Redshirt junior forward Ty Battle grabbed 11 rebounds, her 23rd double-figure rebounding game of the year.

Delaware outrebounded Rice 48-41, including a season-high 30 offensive boards. That led to 93 field goal attempts, the most in a single game in program history.

The Blue Hens knocked down 31 of those 93 shots (33.3%), but Rice pulled away on the strength of 54.0% (27-50) shooting from the floor, 56.3% (9-16) from beyond the arc, and 78.6% (22-28) from the free throw line.

Lauren Schwartz led four Owls in double figures with 25 points.

QUOTING HEAD COACH NATASHA ADAIR
"Not the outcome we wanted, but I'm so proud of our fight, oh my goodness, and so proud of our year. We have so many things to celebrate, so many things that are going to be in the record books, this is going to be a season to remember for the good things. So, we're not going to let today's outcome outweigh the positives of a phenomenal season. And the fun thing is, is we get everybody back. So I am excited for this group. I'm super pumped already for next year. And my thank you is to the whole group, to my staff, to my support staff, to all the people who have made this season a season to remember. Go Hens!"