University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
5-3,0-0CAA
Duquesne
6-2,0-0Atlantic 10
Women’s Basketball Battles Duquesne
12/4/2022 4:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
"I don't think we played as hard as we have in previous games," said head coach Sarah Jenkins. "We are a young group that have had some success early and we need to regroup and refocus as we head into our game with Princeton next Sunday."
Jewel Smalls was recognized with her 1,000-career point ball prior to opening tip.
The opening quarter was battle tested as Klarke Scoiners knocked down a turnaround jumper with 22 seconds left to give Delaware a slight edge to close out the period, 9-8.
The Bob Carpenter Center fans of 804 saw a total of 42 points being scored between both teams in the second period. The Dukes took the 21-18 lead with 6:41 left and then Nakiyah Mays-Prince's layup ignited a 7-0 Blue Hen spurt while holding Duquesne to a shooting drought that lasted four minutes, 25-21. The Dukes responded with a 7-0 run of their own to regain the seven-point lead (31-25). With the buzzer going off, Tara Cousins found out that the BCC bank was open a drained the triple, which pulled the Blue Hens within three, 31-28, heading into the break.
Duquesne outscored Delaware 21-13 in the third to build a 13-point cushion, 54-41. After the Dukes went up 58-44, Smalls connected from deep to kickstart a much-need 5-0 run for the Blue Hens to pull within single digits, 58-52, with 7:03 remaining in the fourth quarter. Duquesne closed out with a 7-3 run to settle the 66-55 final.
Makayla Pippin paced Delaware with 10 points (3-6 FG) and nine rebounds while Smalls (eight rebounds) and Cousins (four assists, three steals) poured in nine points each.
Tess Myers finished with 17 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 3FG, 3-3 FT) to lead Duquesne to their sixth victory on the season. Precious Johnson also poured in 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Naelle Bernard chipped in 14 points and Megan McConnell had a 10-point, 15-rebound and 10-assist outing to notch a triple-double.
Delaware shot 33.9 percent (21-62) from the field, 27.8 percent (5-18) from beyond the arc, and 61.5 percent (8-13) from the free throw line. Duquesne connected on 44.2 percent (23-52) from the field, 41.7 percent (10-24) from three-point territory, and 71.4 percent (10-14) from the charity stripe. The Blue Hens outplayed Duquesne in rebounds (40-37), blocks (2-1), offensive rebounds (13-6), and forced 22 turnovers compared to their 17.
WHAT'S NEXT
As part of their two-game road trip, Delaware will travel next Sunday, Dec. 11 to tussle with Princeton inside Jadwin Gymnasium in Princeton, N.J. Opening tip is slated for 6 p.m.
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