There is no place like home and for Delaware that statement could not ring truer because on Wednesday night the Delaware Blue Hens won their fifth straight at the Bob Carpenter center. This is the first time since the 1999-2000 season that the Blue Hens have gone this far without losing a game at home. The 1999 squad went 9-0 at home that season.
The Hens took on the Iona Gaels for their last non conference match up of the season and came out with a 63-54 victory on Wednesday night. This is Delaware’s first win over the Gaels in six meetings.
It all started in the first half where the Blue Hens came out quick with a 7-3 run which was led by Hens Ryan Daly. Daly had 3 points and a defensive rebound during Hen’s early run. Then after the opening run the Hens hit five consecutive shots to go up 14-6 around the 14:01 mark in the first half. Devonne Pinkard led the Hens with 5 points and a defensive rebound with that second run.
Then about a minute later, Iona went on their own 7-0 run that pulled them within one point of the lead. Iona’s Schadrac Casimir led the run with 5 points and assist.
Around the 8 minute mark in the first half the two teams were tied twice, first at 19 a piece then 20 a minute later.
After letting Iona tie the game, Hens Eric Carter made a layup that put the Hens up 22-20 with 7:37 left in the first half. Blue Hens would never let go of the lead for the rest of the first half and would go to halftime with a 31-28 lead over Iona.
Delaware scored 14 points and Iona scored 8 points in paint for the first half.
The Blue Hens shot 42.3 % from the field and Iona shot 32.3 % in the first half.
The Hens were 3 for 7 at the three point line and Iona went 3 for 13 in the first half.
Anthony Mosley led the Hens in points with 10 in the first half.
Jordan Washington led Iona in points with 15 in the first half.
When the second half started the Blue Hens were still leading but Iona started clipping on the Hens heels a little bit by pulling within 3 points of the lead a couple of times.
Then Delaware got down to business, their defense sharpen up and the offense went on a 15-3 run to put them up 50-38 with 5:06 left in the game. Hens Ryan Daly led the run with 7 points and 3 rebounds. Iona could not hit a bucket in the late minutes of the second half but the Hens Ryan Daly was on fire. Daly had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and one steal in the second half to help led the Blue Hens to a 63-54 win.
Blue Hens head coach Martin Ingelsby said this about team’s win over Iona:
“I thought we really executed our game plan tonight,” first-year Delaware head coach Martin Ingelsby said. “We did a good job of controlling tempo, and I’m proud of how we guarded and made them take contested jumpshots. Anthony Mosley does a great job quarterbacking our group and getting us into our offense. We have to keep finding ways to win, because every night in the conference season comes down to the wire.”
Hens Ryan Daly led the team with 18 points in the game. Daly also had his first career double-double in this win with 18 points and 12 rebounds ( a career high).
Three other Hens scored in double digits and they were Anthony Mosley ( 14), Cazmon Hayes ( 12) and Darian Bryant (11).
Delaware improves to 7-6 on the season with the win and they have now matched their win total from last season.
Hens play Hofstra at the Bob Carpenter Center on Saturday at 2pm ET.
DE SPORTS BLITZ PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Blue Hens: Ryan Daly who had 18 points, 12 rebounds (7 defensive, 5 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal and shot 2 for 4 from the free throw line.
Iona: Jordan Washington who had 17 points, 8 rebounds ( 6 offensive, 2 defensive), 1 block, 1 steal, and shot 3 for 5 from the free throw line.
Stats:
FG Percentage:
Blue Hens: 40.4%
Iona: 34.5%
Free Throw Percentage:
Blue Hens: 71.4%
Iona: 58.3%
Three Point Percentage:
Blue Hens:37.5%
Iona: 25.9%
Rebounds:
Blue Hens: 40
Iona: 34
Blocks:
Blue Hens: 4
Iona: 5
Turnovers:
Blue Hens: 13
Iona: 14
Points off Turnovers:
Blue Hens:22
Iona: 12
College Delaware Sports Blitz 