Dover, Del. (Jan. 30, 2010) --- Delaware State extended their best conference start since winning the MEAC in 2006 with a thrilling 58-56 win over the Hampton Pirates on Saturday in Dover, Del. at Memorial Hall.
Senior guard Marcus Neal would lead all Hornets with 16 points, including the game winning layup with 24.5 seconds remaining. Senior forward Frisco Sandidge and freshman forward Marques Oliver each picked up eight rebounds in a game where DSU would dominate on the offensive glass. The Hornets corralled 21 offensive rebounds to just nine for the Pirates, and DSU would win on the window 35-28 overall.
Hampton would take a four point lead into the locker room for halftime at 33-29, led by point guard Vincent Simpson, who finished with 16 points on 5-9 shooting. Hornet junior guard Chad Wilson had eight points on 3-3 shooting to lead all scorers, and Neal's lone first half three-pointer would extend his streak of at least one made three-ball in every game this season.
In a game that would see 10 ties and 11 lead changes, DSU would creep to a four point advantage early in the second stanza. But a 6:19 drought without a point would finally break when Sandidge's pull up baseline jumper fell with 7:36 to go to give the Hornets a two point advantage, and his transition layup off a steal would bump the lead back to four. However DSU couldn't shake the pesky Pirates, who would have a lead with under a minute remaining.
Following a pair of missed three point attempts from Marcus Neal and Chad Wilson followed by DSU offensive rebounds, Neal's layup with 24.5 seconds to go would give the Hornets a one-point lead. On the ensuing Pirate possession Kwame Morgan would miss an 18 foot jumper, and Terron Stowe would be fouled after corralling the rebound with 3.6 seconds remaining. He would make his first free throw to determine the final margin of victory.
Jay Threatt would also standout for the Hornets from his point guard position. His six assists and five steals, as well as four rebounds and two points, were essential to DSU's success as well as his floor generalship in the closely fought battle. Threatt entered the contest seventh in the NCAA in steals per game with 2.9 pilfers per contest, as well as the MEAC's leader.
DSU looks to extend their streak to seven of their last eight on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. when they face the Howard Bison. Hornet fans can catch all the action on the Hornet Radio Network, on 1290 The Ticket and 1410 WDOV, as well as on DSUHornets.com.
