Women's Basketball Game Preview: Hofstra & Drexel

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – With six games left in the regular season, Delaware will be looking to climb up the CAA standing with two games on deck this weekend. First, the Blue Hens will travel to Hempstead, N.Y. to rumble with Hofstra Friday, Feb. 17 and then return home to face Drexel Sunday, Feb. 19 as part of the Senior Day celebrations on NBC Philadelphia. Opening tip for Friday's battle starts at 7 p.m. and Sunday's showdown is slated for a 2 p.m. start.

What You Need to Know:

Delaware last hit the hardwood last Sunday, Feb. 12, playing host to Charleston. The Blue Hens suffered a 90-56 setback to the Cougars in the lone regular-season matchup between the two teams.
The statline vs. Charleston: Makayla Pippin paced Delaware with 18 points (7-14 FG, 4-5 FT) and seven rebounds (five offensive). Tara Cousins followed with 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-5 3PT), six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jewel Smalls chipped in 10 points and five rebounds.
Games played through Feb. 15, Delaware as a unit ranks 44th in defensive rebounds per game (28.0) and 49th in field goal percentage defense (37.1). Among the conference, the Blue Hens lead the way in field goal percentage defense and defensive rebounds per game while ranking in the top five in rebounds per game (2nd, 39.61), blocks per game (2nd, 3.4), field goal percentage (4th, 41.8), rebound margin (4th, 1.9), assists per game (5th, 12.9), scoring margin (5th, 2.5), steals per game (5th, 8.0), three-point attempts (5th, 18.3) and three-pointers per game (5th, 6.2).
Smalls ranks 19th in three-point attempts (189), 23rd in three-pointers per game (2.78) and 35th in three-pointers (64) among the national leaders while leading the way in three-point attempts among the CAA. Smalls also ranks fourth in steals (47), steals per game (2.04), three-pointers and three-pointers per game. Pippin ranks fourth in rebounds per game (8.1) and fifth in rebounds (186) while Klarke Sconiers ranks third in blocks per game (1.57) and fourth in blocks (33).

AGAINST HOFSTRA

This will be the 82nd meeting between Delaware and Hofstra, with the Blue Hens holding the 69-12 all-time record and a 32-11 mark in Hempstead. The Blue Hens will enter Friday's matchup looking to complete the regular-season sweep and extend the winning streak against the Pride to 16 games.
Delaware and Hofstra last met on Dec. 30, 2022 tipping off CAA play while closing the 2022 calendar year. The Blue Hens put on a strong showing in front of the home crowd and claimed the 77-65 home win behind Sconiers' 21 points.
The Blue & Gold was victorious in Hempstead last season, capturing a 71-58 road victory on Feb. 13, 2022. Pippin saw 22 minutes of action, poured in seven points and pulled down six rebounds in the win.
The last time Hofstra saw action was last Sunday, Feb. 12, against new CAA member Stony Brook. The Pride fell to the Seawolves 70-60 inside Island Federal Arena. Zyheima Swint nearly matched her career-high with 18 points against the Seawolves on 8-10 from the floor while pulling down six rebounds. Emma Von Essen recorded 14 points on 6-10 shooting and two three-pointers, and Sorelle Ineza chipped in with 11 points for the Pride. Rosi Nicholson tallied a team-high seven rebounds to pair with seven points scored, and Janaia Fargo recorded eight points and five rebounds in her first start for Hofstra.

AGAINST DREXEL

This will be the 94th time in program history that Delaware and Drexel will be meeting. The Blue Hens hold a 52-41 all-time record and a 22-19 mark inside Bob Carpenter Center.
The last time Delaware and Drexel met was Jan. 6, 2023 when the Blue Hen fell 73-57 on the road. In the most anticipated matchup of the season, the Blue Hens saw Michelle Ojo pace Delaware with 14 points (7-10 FG) and six rebounds while Sconiers poured in 11 points (5-7 FG).
The last time out for Drexel was last Sunday, Feb. 12 on the road against Monmouth where the Dragons saw their winning streak stop at five after falling 70-66 to the Hawks. Keishana Washington scored 32 points, her ninth game this year and 14th of her career scoring 30 or more points, and added five assists to her statline. Grace O'Neill added eight points and five rebounds. Jasmine Valentine scored six and led the Dragons with six rebounds. Maura Hendrixson led DU with eight assists and became the sixth player in program history with 400+ dimes. Hetta Saatman recorded a pair of blocks, moving into 10th place all-time at Drexel, passing Taylor Wootton.
Drexel will remain inside the comforts of Daskalakis Athletic Center and welcome Northeastern on Friday before heading down to Newark to face the Blue Hens on Sunday.

How to Follow
Friday at Hofstra: Live Stats | Live Video

| Live Audio
Sunday vs. Drexel: Live Stats | Live Video

| Live Audio | Tickets
Game Notes: Delaware | Hofstra | Drexel
Gameday Atmosphere on Sunday
Promotions: Senior Day | Free replica Delaware Basketball jersey t-shirts for the first 100 students! Also, join us as we recognize our seniors!
Tickets: Faculty & Staff | Government Employees Appreciation Day Two complimentary tickets and discounted tickets for all UD faculty & staff, and Delaware government employees!

Up Next: Delaware will hit the road Boston, Mass. next Friday, Feb. 24 and face Northeastern inside Cabot Center at 7 p.m and head back to the Big Apple to play against new CAA foe Stony Brook Sunday, Feb. 26 inside Island Federal Arena in Stony Brook, N.Y. at 2 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Tara Cousins

Michelle Ojo

Makayla Pippin

Klarke Sconiers

Jewel Smalls

University of Delaware Athletics