Dover, Del. (Jan. 12) --- The Delaware State Lady Hornets fall to the North Carolina A&T Aggies 67-47. Delaware State drops to 2-12 on the season, and 0-3 in the MEAC.
The Lady Hornets struggled from the field to start the game missing their first eight shots. North Carolina A&T took advantaged and took a 9-0 lead.
Lanayjha Ashe scored the first points for DSU after knocking down a three-pointer with 4:49 left in the quarter. Her shot sparked a 11-5 run for the Lady Hornets, but they trailed 16-11 after the first quarter.
The Aggies took another nine-point lead to start the second quarter.
The Lady Hornets responded with a barrage of three-pointers. Lanayjha Ashe hit three shots from beyond-the arc, while Keke Barber, Yazmin Batch, and Tylea Galloway hit one three-pointer each.
NaJai Pollard added the inside presence for the Lady Hornets, she scored on a second chance points opportunity to give DSU a brief 33-32 lead. However, the Aggies made two-free throws just before the half to lead 34-33.
North Carolina A&T hit Delaware State with an 11-0 flurry, to start the second half, once again Lanayjha Ashe answered for the Lady Hornets. She started a 8-0 run, after a pick from NaJai Pollard opened a lane for Ashe to score a layup. The run was capped off with a floater from NaJai Pollard, cutting the deficit down to 45-41 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Aggies once again went on a run, but this time the Lady Hornets did not have an answer. North Carolina A&T outscored DSU 22-6 in the final quarter.
Delaware State shot 14-of-55 (25.5%) from the field, 8-of-22 (36.8%) on three-point attempts, and 11-of-16 (68.8%) from the free throw line.
Lanayjha Ashe led the team with 16 points, she also had four rebounds, three assists, and one block.
NaJai Pollard added eight points, and a game high 15 rebounds, two assists, and one block.
North Carolina A&T made 23-of-61 (37.7%) of their field goal attempts, 4-of-16 (25.0%) from beyond the arc, and 17-of-27 (63.0%) from the charity stripe.
Aggie players Rayven Peeples, and Cinia McCray combined for 40 points.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Lady Hornets were outscored 32-12 in the paint.
2. DSU outscored the Aggies 29-13 in bench points.
3. DSU was outrebounded 51-32.
UP NEXT
The Lady Hornets wrap up their three game home-stand vs. North Carolina Central on Jan. 14. Tip-off starts at 5:30 pm.
CHASING HISTORY
NaJai Pollard has 1,658 points for her career, and is 102 points away from having the third most points in school history.
