The University of Delaware men’s basketball team moves to 9-0 on the season, after the team defeated the Columbia University Lions 84-76 on Monday at the Bob Carpenter Center. This marks the first time Delaware has opened up their season with nine straight wins.
The leading scorer of the game for the Blue Hens was redshirt sophomore forward Justyn Mutts who had 24 points. Mutts also had his fifth double-double on the season as he had 15 rebounds with his 24 points.
Four other Blue Hen players scored in double digits which were junior guard Ryan Allen (20), redshirt junior guard Nate Darling (16), junior guard Kevin Anderson (11) and redshirt senior forward Collin Goss (10).
Delaware had the advantage in multiple categories in this game which included rebounds (35-29) and blocks (2-0).
The Blue Hens also bested Columbia in shooting percentage by shooting 53.7 %(29-54) and the Lions shot 45.3 % (29-64). Delaware also had the advantage at the three-point line by shooting 45.0 % (9-20) and Columbia shot 34.6 % (9-26).
The Hens made their time at the free-throw line count as the team shot 89.5 % (17-19). The Lions shot 75.0 % (9-12) at the free-throw line in the game.
Related: Mutts Post Fourth Double-Double Of The Season In Blue Hens 75-56 Win Vs UMES
Delaware Takes A 13 Point Lead To Halftime
The leading scorer for the Hens in the first half was Justyn Mutts who scored 12 points. As a team, Delaware shot 54.84 % (17-31) in the first half and the team also shot 80.00 % (4-5) from the free-throw line.
Columbia shot 35.71 % (10-28) in the first half and the team also shot 75.00 % (6-8) at the free-throw line.
The first half started with the Blue Hens jumping out to a quick 11-2 lead which saw three shots from downtown being made. Kevin Anderson, Ryan Allen, and Nate Darling were the trio who hit the made three-pointers on the run.
Starting at the 15:05 mark, the Hens outscored the Lions 24-17 to take a 38-25 lead with 3:14 remaining in the half. Mutts scored 10 of the 24 points on that run for the Hens.
The Hens would end with a 42-29 lead going into halftime.
First Half Stats
Delaware shot 54.84 % (17-31)in the first half and Columbia shot 35.71 % (10-28).
The Blue Hens shot 80.00 % (4-5) at the free-throw line in the first half and the Lions shot 75.00 % (6-8).
Justyn Mutts was the leading scorer for the Blue Hens in the first half as he scored 12 points.
Mike Smith was the leading scorer for the Lions in the first half as he scored 10 points.
Mutts & Allen Combine For 23 In Second Half To Seal Win
The leading scorer in the second half for the Hens was once again Justyn Mutts who scored 12 points. Mutts teammate, Ryan Allen was right behind him as he scored 11 points in the second half.
As a team, Delaware shot 52.17 % (12-23) in the second half and the team took care of business at the free-throw line as they shot 92.86 % (13-14).
The Lions shooting improved greatly in the second half, as the team shot 52.78 % (19-36).Columbia also shot 75.00 % (3-4) at the free-throw line in the second half.
At the 12:55 minute mark, the Lions offense showed some life as the team went on 11-2 run which decreased the Blue Hens lead to 63-54 with 10:38 left in the game.
Starting at the 8:25 minute mark, the Blue Hens a had run in them as well with going on a 15-10 run. This pushed the Blue Hens lead to 80-71 with 51 seconds left in the game.
Nate Darling and Allen would hit four crucial free throws in the final seconds of the game to seal an 84-76 win.
Delaware heads to Washington DC as the team takes on George Washington on December 7th at 4 PM ET.
Stats:
FG%: UD53.7 %& CU 45.3 %
3P%: UD45.0 %%& CU34.6 %
FT%: UD89.5 %&CU75.0 %
Rebs: UD 35&CU29
Ast: UD12&CU15
Stl: UD 2&CU7
TO: UD 11&CU8
Blks: UD 2 &CU0
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