Delaware State Takes Over The Hornets Nest In HBCU Classic

Enve

2024-12-30

SCORE: Delaware State University 83-80 Alabama State University

LOCATION: Mohegan Sun

POST GAME QUOTES: “There is something extra special about being at an HBCU, playing in the MEAC, and SWAC. It’s a little bit bigger than basketball games when you get two HBCU together.”
Delaware State MBB, Head Coach Stan Waterman

"There is something extra special about being at an HBCU, playing in the MEAC, and SWAC. It's a little bit bigger than basketball games when you get two HBCU together."

DSU MBB Head Coach Stan Waterman speaks on his HBCU pride.@HBCUSports1 / @MEACSports / @DSUMBB pic.twitter.com/cRROs6o1Cg
— Enveonline (@Enveonline) December 30, 2024

What Happened
For the last game/second day of the Chris Paul tournament, two teams, one from the MEAC Delaware State, and the other from the SWAC Alabama State . Both teams had different perspectives going into this game. Alabama St was looking to rebound from the previous loss 71-54 to Norfolk St. Delaware State was looking to continue their great play from the previous night before over Grambling 73-60. The Hornets also were looking to continue their win streak from two to three.

When the game began Delaware State, as expected, had taken a 15-10 lead. Forcing Alabama State to take a timeout, and regroup. Regrouping is what they did once play resumed. The DSU Hornets were up by eight. Shortly into the quarter ASU started to make a run. Hitting three straight three point shots to take a 19-18 lead. This would be the first lead of the game for ASU, and they would capitalize.

ASU would hit another three point shot to take a four point lead (22-18). Forcing Delaware State to call a timeout, and regroup. For most of the rest of the first half both teams went back, and forth. With multiple lead changes. It was not until around the 2:30 mark that guard Robert Smith hit a three point shot to give some distance to their lead (35-27). Smith went into halftime leading the team with 17, and the only player with double digit points for DSU. DSU also went into halftime with a 40-34 lead.

For the second half Delaware State had kept a hold onto the lead. Not by much as their leads were only by no more than four points. Every time the Hornets seemed to look like they were going to pull away Alabama St would answer. Amarr Knox who was leading the team with 12, and Micah Simpson who also had ten, were keeping ASU in this game. With the fight that ASU gave it was still not enough.Midway through the second period the Hornets went on an 8-0 run to give them a 58-50 lead. Forcing ASU to call a timeout.

Even with the timeout Alabama State never got the lead back or close to it. DSU kept their foot on the gas. Especially with the play of Robert Smith who finished the game with 26. For DSU this win was much needed as they went to 7-6, and at press time were in second place 7-7. With conference play right around the corner every game counts, stay tuned!