Defense Leads Men’s Basketball to First-Ever CUSA Win; Hens Down Kennesaw State 67-52

Sunday, January 4

Newark, Del.

2 PM

University of Delaware

5-9,1-2CUSA

Kennesaw State

8-6,0-3CUSA

Kennesaw St.

Delaware

Photo by: Mikey Reeves

Defense Leads Men’s Basketball to First-Ever CUSA Win; Hens Down Kennesaw State 67-52

1/4/2026 4:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware men's basketball picked up its first-ever Conference USA win with a 67-52 decision over Kennesaw State Sunday afternoon. The 52 points allowed are the fewest this season by the Fightin' Blue Hens with KSU entering Sunday's game leading the league and ranking 13^th nationally with 91.8 points per game. UD moves to 5-9 overall, 1-2 CUSA, while the Owls dip to 8-6, 0-3 CUSA.

HEN HIGHLIGHTS

Delaware blocked a season-high eight shots.
For the second game in-a-row, the Blue & Gold won the turnover margin, finishing at +3.
The Hens held the Owls to a season-low 28.3 percent from the field, including 20.0 percent from long range. On the contrary, UD shot an even 50-percent overall.
Christian Bliss finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Tyler Houser also scored a game-high 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from downtown.
Justyn Fernandez tallied 10 points.
Macon Emory corralled nine rebounds with a career-high three steals, and a career-high three blocks.
Rookie Jayden Taylor also set a career mark with three deflections.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Owls opened the game with a 7-2 advantage before the Hens responded with 13-unanswered points over 6:06 to pull ahead 15-7 at the 10:20 mark. The run would continue in part to UD holding KSU to 2-of-14 shooting into the under-eight media break with the Hens up 21-13. Kennesaw State responded with its own run to go up 22-21 at the four-minute mark. The Blue & Gold ended the half on an 8-0 run over the final 4:01 to take a 29-22 lead into the locker room. The 22 points surrendered are the fewest by an opponent in any half this season.
KSU chipped into the deficit with an 11-10 margin up to the stoppage at 11:19 of the second frame. The Owls pulled within five at 42-37 at 9:13 but wouldn't come any closer the rest of the way. UD ballooned its lead to its largest of the day at 15.

GAME NOTES

Delaware moves to 4-1 on the season and 125-36 under Martin Ingelsby when leading at the half.
UD moves to 101-26 under Ingelsby when holding its opposition to under 70 points.

UP NEXT
Delaware heads on the road for a Thursday night matchup at Sam Houston.

TICKETS
Tickets for men's basketball are on sale now! All tickets can be purchased at BlueHens.com/bbtix.

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