University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
9-6,2-2CAA
Elon
4-12,0-5CAA
Women’s Basketball Return To Winning Ways At Elon
1/13/2023 9:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ELON, N.C. - The University of Delaware women's basketball team came to North Carolina ready to take things by storm. The Blue Hens (9-6, 2-2 CAA) returned to winning ways on this Friday the 13th after completing the come-from-behind 71-65 road victory over the hosts, Elon (4-12, 0-5 CAA), inside Schar Center. The win snapped the Blue Hens two-game skid while extending the Phoenix's losing streak to 10 games.
Both teams exchanged baskets through the first seven minutes of the opening quarter, with Elon leading 14-11 early on. Makayla Pippin and Klarke Sconiers combined for seven of the Blue Hen points, while Demi Burdick and Tara Cousins made jumpers for Delaware. The Pheonix, however, ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 10-point lead.
Elon pushed their lead to 32-17, their largest of the game, with 4:20 remaining. The Blue Hens then went on a 15-6 run to end the half to cut it down to 38-32, including scoring the final six points of the second quarter. The run was ignited by a made three-pointer by Jewel Smalls, while Nakiyah Mays-Prince knocked down a three-pointer and made a free throw after being fouled to complete the four-point play to send Delaware into the locker room down just six. Five different Blue Hens scored during the run for Delaware, highlighted by Mays-Prince's six, while Delaware's defense held Elon to just one field goal during the stretch.
Elon pushed their lead up to seven 90-seconds in the second half (41-34). Six quick points by Delaware cut their deficit down to one, but a made three-pointer gave Elon some breathing room at 47-43. Delawre took their first lead since the opening quarter at 48-47 with 4:29 to go on two free throws by Pippin. Smalls and Sconiers capped off a 9-2 spurt to give Delaware a 52-48 lead before three free-throws by Elon tied the game at the end of the period. Delaware outscored Elon 22-16 in the third quarter.
The final quarter began with neither team being able to take a lead of more than two points, with seven lead changes and two ties having happened by the 3:31 mark. Kharis Idom gave Delaware the lead for good at 62-61, and Sconiers followed that up with a layup on the ensuing possession. Another basket by Idom with 90 seconds remaining gave Delaware their largest lead of the night at 67-61. A converted and-one opportunity cut Delaware's lead down to two with less than a minute remaining, but two layups by Pippin capped off Delaware's comeback win.
Sconiers led all scorers with 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-6 FT) while pulling down three rebounds and sending away two shots in the Blue Hen victory. Pippin followed with 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-4 FT) while the rook Mays-Prince chipped in with 10 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-1 FT), four assists and three rebounds off the bench. Smalls also nabbed a game-high four steals.
Ajia James paced Elon with 16 points (7-14 FG) and eight rebounds. Lenaejha Evans added 15 points and six rebounds to the mix while Raven Preston finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Delaware shot 46.4 percent (30-62) from the field, 17.6 percent (3-17) from beyond the arc, and 82.7 percent (8-11) from the free throw line. Elon connected on 40.4 percent (23-57) from the field, 41.7 percent (5-12) from three-point territory, and 50.0 percent (14-28) from the charity stripe. The Blue Hens outplayed the Phoenix in assists (16-14), bench points (16-12), points in the paint (42-24), points off turnovers (20-14), fastbreak points (15-5), and steals (9-8), and forced 20 turnovers compared to just 13 of their own. Delaware also held Elon to seven field goals in the second half on 25 attempts. Their 15-point victory is their largest since they overcame a 16-point deficit on Jan. 2, 2011 against Hofstra, and they won their third game this season after trailing at the half (also against Hofstra on Dec. 30 and Lehigh on Dec. 18).
Delaware closes out its tour of North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 15 when they face new conference foe North Carolina A&T inside Corbett Sports Center. Opening tip is slated for 2 p.m.
