University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
4-7,0-0CUSA
Rider
1-9,0-2MAAC
Three in Double Figures Leads Men’s Basketball Past Rider 65-57
12/16/2025 9:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware men's basketball team ended the game on a 10-2 run, pulling away for a 65-57 victory over Rider University on Tuesday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center. With the victory, the Fightin' Blue Hens close out non-conference play with a 4-7 record, while the Broncs fall to 1-9 overall.
HEN HIGHLIGHTS
- Macon Emory led all players with 17 points, including a career-high nine free throws, while finishing just short of a double-double with nine rebounds.
- Christian Bliss stuffed the stat sheet again, pacing the Blue Hens with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
- Justyn Fernandez rounded out those in double figures with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field including a pair of 3-pointers.
- Delaware shot 54.2 percent from the field in the first half.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a slow offensive start by both teams, Delaware jumped out to an 8-4 lead behind baskets from three different players.
- With the game tied at eight, the Blue Hens embarked on a 12-0 run over nearly six minutes to take a 20-8 lead. The streak was fueled by four points from Jayden Taylor, three by Emory and a 3-pointer from Alex Kazanecki.
- Delaware was able to maintain a double-digit lead for most of the rest of the first half before Rider scored the final five points to cut UD's lead to 31-25 at the midway break.
- Early in the second half, four successful free throws by Emory and a Fernandez basket extended Delaware's lead back to 12, 39-27.
- Fernandez drained a 3-pointer to give the Blue Hens a 50-40 with eight minutes remaining, but Rider used a 15-5 run to tie things up at 55 with 2:09.
- Bliss responded right away with back-to-back baskets to put Delaware up 59-55 with just under a minute left.
- Following a Rider basket, Bliss hit both free throws and Emory went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in the final seconds to seal the victory.
GAME NOTES
- The 57 points allowed was a season-low for the Blue Hens.
- Bliss played all 40 minutes for the fifth time this season, and third time in the last four games. He has also handed out at least four assists in every game.
- Emory has scored in double figures in nine of Delaware's 11 games this season, including five games with at least 17 points.
- All eight Blue Hens who appeared in the game scored a point, marking second time this season that has happened.
UP NEXT
Delaware will continue its five-game homestand when it returns to action after Christmas to open Conference USA play against Missouri State. Tip off on December 29 is set for 2 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on 94.7 WDSD.
TICKETS
Tickets for men's basketball are on-sale now! All tickets can be purchased at BlueHens.com/bbtix.
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