Delaware State hangs on to win 58-51 in season opener vs Rider

Hornets take a 10 point lead in the first quarter

The first quarter opened up with both teams not putting up many points as the Lady Hornets only had a 4-1 lead with 4:37 left in the quarter.

The slow start wore off at the 2:59 minute mark as Delaware State went on a 9-2 run to take a 13-3 lead into the second quarter. Melissa Sam was the leader of this run as she scored seven of the nine points.

The Hornets shot 42.9% (6-14) in the first quarter of this game.

The Broncs shot a woeful 7.1% (1-14) in the first quarter of this game.

Delaware State takes a six-point lead into the half

The first quarter was all DSU, but the second quarter was all Rider as the team started the quarter with a 13-6 run to cut the Lady Hornets lead to three points ( 19-13) with 3:35 left in the half.

Starting at the 53-second mark in the second quarter, Delaware State would score three straight points to close the first half with a lead to 22-16.

Rebounding was a big key to why the DSU was able to hold on to the lead in the first half as the team had 24 and the Broncs had 13.

The Lady Hornets shooting declined in the second quarter as the team shot 23.5% (4-17) in the second quarter of the game.

Rider’s shooting improved in the second quarter as the team shot 57.1% (4-7) in the second quarter of this game.

DSU leads by eight after three quarters of play

Delaware State came out of halftime with some juice as the team started the second half with a 13-6 run, which extended their lead to 35-22 with 4:19 left in the third quarter. One of the impact players on this run was senior forward Kiana Coomber, who had three points, four rebounds, and an assist.

The Broncs would not lay down as the team started an 11-6 around the 3:21 minute mark, which cut DSU’s lead to eight (41-33) after three-quarters of play.

The Lady Hornets had their best shooting percentage of the game in the third quarter as the team shot 50.0% (6-12).

Rider shot 57.1% (8-14) in the third quarter of this game.

Delaware State wins the game by seven points

In the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter, DSU would outscore the Broncs 16-12 to expand their lead to 57-45 with 2:17 left in the game. One of the leaders of this run was DeMaurea Moore, who had eight points, one steal, and three rebounds.

After a total of 28 points scored in the early minutes of this quarter, the points would come to a complete stop for almost two minutes of the fourth, until at the 33 second minute mark.

As Rider would go on a 6-1 run, but it would not be enough for a comeback as the Lady Hornets would hold on to win 58-51.

Delaware State’s shooting declined a bit in the fourth quarter as the team shot 47.1% (8-17).

The Broncs had their best shooting percentage of the game in the fourth quarter as the team shot 61.5% (8-13).

Team Stats:
FG%: DSU40.0 % &RU43.8 %
3P%: DSU 19.0 %&RU16.7 %
FT%: DSU54.5 %&RU 63.6 %
Rebs: DSU 42 &RU25
Ast: DSU 17& RU6
Stl: DSU 8&RU5
TO: DSU 17 &RU16
Blks: DSU 1&RU2