University of Delaware Athletics
Wednesday, December 21
Newark, Del.
2 PM
University of Delaware
7-4,0-0CAA
66
vs
50
American
1-10,0-0Patriot
1
2
3
4
F
American
4
18
6
22
50
Delaware
15
18
18
15
66
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Women’s Basketball Dominate American To Close Out Non-Conference Play
12/21/2022 4:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware women's basketball team closed out non-conference play Wednesday afternoon with a home battle against American inside Bob Carpenter Center. The Blue Hens cruised to a 66-50 victory over the Eagles (1-10) to finish non-con action 7-4 and poised to defend their conference title as CAA play starts on Dec. 30.
Delaware felt the vibes of the home crowd of 783 and put on a show. The Blue Hens opened the quarter on a 15-0 run through the opening 6:16, with Kharis Idom scoring nearly half the Blue Hens' points with seven. Ivy Bales put American on the board with back-to-back jumpers, 15-4, heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter proved to be more of an evenly fought battle but the shining moment came at the hands of Tara Cousins taking on the role of floor general. At the 6:41 mark, Cousins found a running Nakiyah Mays-Prince, who laid in an easy one for two, to set a new career-high in assists. The Eagles got in as close as nine points, 31-22, thanks to Lauren Stack's layup with 1:15 remaining. Cousins knocked in a pair of free throws to push Delaware's lead back up to double-digits heading into the break, 33-22.
The Blue Hens remained in the driver's seat coming out of the half, putting together a 18-0 spurt, which was the largest run of the afternoon, to extend their lead to a game-high 27 points (49-22). The run was capped beautifully with back-to-back triples by Idom. The Blue Hens maintained the 20+ point lead throughout the fourth before the Eagles went on an 11-2 run to pull within 14 points, 62-48, with 1:59 left. Jewel Smalls then scored four of the remaining six points for Delaware to settle the 66-50 final.
Idom and Smalls led the way for the Blue Hens with 16 points each, with Idom shooting 6-10 from the field and 4-5 from beyond the arc while Smalls made five of her 11 three-point attempts. Idom's six field goals made and four three-pointers made tied her season-high, while she had a new season-high in steals with three. She made at least four three-pointers in two of the Blue Hens' last three games (also done at Princeton on Dec. 11). Smalls has now made at least three three-pointers in seven of her 11 games played this season, with this being the second game she made five shots from beyond the arc (six in the season opener at Longwood on Nov. 7). Cousins reached double digits in points for the second consecutive game and fifth time this season, as she shot 3-5 from the field with 10 points, five rebounds, a career-high eight assists. Cousins' eight assists were also the most by a Blue Hen since Paris McBride had eight against Salem (Wv.) on Nov. 25, 2020. Ojo scored seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds off the bench.
American were led by Emily Johns' 13 points and seven rebounds and a double-double by Stack, who recorded 12 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Delaware shot 45.8 percent (22-48) from the field, 50.0 percent (10-20) from the beyond the arc, and 75.0 percent (12-16) from the free throw line. American connected on 28.8 percent (18-63) from the field, 23.5 percent (4-17) from three-point territory, and 55.6 percent (10-18) from the charity stripe. The Blue Hens outplayed American in rebounds (40-37), assists (16-13), steals (10-7), and second chance points (9-7), and never trailed during the game, leading for all but 58 seconds when the score was tied. Delaware's 10 three-pointers made and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc were a new season-best, and their most in a game since making 11 on 55.0 percent shooting on Jan. 14, 2022 against Hofstra. The Blue Hens also forced a season-best 23 turnovers.
For the latest on the University of Delaware Women's Basketball, follow the Blue Hens via social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Delaware felt the vibes of the home crowd of 783 and put on a show. The Blue Hens opened the quarter on a 15-0 run through the opening 6:16, with Kharis Idom scoring nearly half the Blue Hens' points with seven. Ivy Bales put American on the board with back-to-back jumpers, 15-4, heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter proved to be more of an evenly fought battle but the shining moment came at the hands of Tara Cousins taking on the role of floor general. At the 6:41 mark, Cousins found a running Nakiyah Mays-Prince, who laid in an easy one for two, to set a new career-high in assists. The Eagles got in as close as nine points, 31-22, thanks to Lauren Stack's layup with 1:15 remaining. Cousins knocked in a pair of free throws to push Delaware's lead back up to double-digits heading into the break, 33-22.
The Blue Hens remained in the driver's seat coming out of the half, putting together a 18-0 spurt, which was the largest run of the afternoon, to extend their lead to a game-high 27 points (49-22). The run was capped beautifully with back-to-back triples by Idom. The Blue Hens maintained the 20+ point lead throughout the fourth before the Eagles went on an 11-2 run to pull within 14 points, 62-48, with 1:59 left. Jewel Smalls then scored four of the remaining six points for Delaware to settle the 66-50 final.
Idom and Smalls led the way for the Blue Hens with 16 points each, with Idom shooting 6-10 from the field and 4-5 from beyond the arc while Smalls made five of her 11 three-point attempts. Idom's six field goals made and four three-pointers made tied her season-high, while she had a new season-high in steals with three. She made at least four three-pointers in two of the Blue Hens' last three games (also done at Princeton on Dec. 11). Smalls has now made at least three three-pointers in seven of her 11 games played this season, with this being the second game she made five shots from beyond the arc (six in the season opener at Longwood on Nov. 7). Cousins reached double digits in points for the second consecutive game and fifth time this season, as she shot 3-5 from the field with 10 points, five rebounds, a career-high eight assists. Cousins' eight assists were also the most by a Blue Hen since Paris McBride had eight against Salem (Wv.) on Nov. 25, 2020. Ojo scored seven points and pulled down 10 rebounds off the bench.
American were led by Emily Johns' 13 points and seven rebounds and a double-double by Stack, who recorded 12 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Delaware shot 45.8 percent (22-48) from the field, 50.0 percent (10-20) from the beyond the arc, and 75.0 percent (12-16) from the free throw line. American connected on 28.8 percent (18-63) from the field, 23.5 percent (4-17) from three-point territory, and 55.6 percent (10-18) from the charity stripe. The Blue Hens outplayed American in rebounds (40-37), assists (16-13), steals (10-7), and second chance points (9-7), and never trailed during the game, leading for all but 58 seconds when the score was tied. Delaware's 10 three-pointers made and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc were a new season-best, and their most in a game since making 11 on 55.0 percent shooting on Jan. 14, 2022 against Hofstra. The Blue Hens also forced a season-best 23 turnovers.
WHAT'S NEXT
CAA play starts on Friday, Dec. 30 and the 2022 CAA defending champions Delaware will play host Hofstra inside Bob Carpenter Center. Opening tip is slated for 7 p.m.
Gameday Atmosphere
Promotions: End of Year Blowout! | Celebrate the end of the year by helping us clean out our promo item inventory, receive one free promo item of your choice! Pick from assorted t-shirts, pub glasses, tote bags, mason jars, winter gloves, blue hen blankets, and plenty more promo items!
Tickets: First Responder Appreciation Night | Two complimentary tickets and discounted tickets for all first responders!
For the latest on the University of Delaware Women's Basketball, follow the Blue Hens via social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Team Stats
Americ
UD
FG%
.286
.458
3FG%
.235
.500
FT%
.556
.750
RB
37
40
TO
23
27
STL
7
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
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