Dover, Del. (Feb. 4) --- Delaware State Hornets lose in a thriller to South Carolina State Bulldogs 63-60. Lanayjha Ashe's half-court heave hit the back of the rim as time expired.
Kemoni Jenkins made both free throws giving the Bulldogs a three-point lead with just over two seconds left in the game.
NaJai Pollard converted a layup to cut the deficit to one point with seven seconds left.
Jakayvea Akins made just one of two free throws, for a 61-58 South Carolina State lead.
NaJai Pollard scored a layup despite getting fouled with 27 seconds left, ending a scoring drought that lasted over five and a half minutes for the Lady Hornets. Pollard missed her free throw, failing to complete the 'And-1'. Hornet's guard Brittany James grabbed the rebound and they restarted the offense. However, NaJai Pollard committed a turnover with 14 seconds left. The Lady Hornets fouled the Bulldogs guard Jakayvea Akins, sending her to the free throw line.
The Lady Hornets led 56-49 with 5:57 left before South Carolina State went on a 10-0 run.
DSU trailed 36-34 in the third quarter after Kemoni Jenkins knocked down a three pointer, with 7:31 left remaining.
NaJai Pollard found Tylea Galloway cutting into the lane for the layup, tying the game at 36. Pollard converted on an 'old fashion' three-point play on the next possession. Followed by a layup from Lanayjha Ashe, and a pull-up jumper from Ashe on the next two possesions, culminating in a 7-0 run for DSU giving them a 43-36 advantage.
The Lady Hornets outscored South Carolina State 21-11 in the third, to lead 53-44.
NaJai Pollard scored 11 of DSU's 19 points in the second quarter including a layup at the buzzer, to cut the deficit to just 33-32 heading into halftime.
Pollard finished the game with 36 points and 11 rebounds.
Delaware State opened the game up slow, they trailed 10-2 within the first four minutes of the game. The Lady Hornets trailed only by five at 18-13 heading into the second quarter after Lanayjha Ashe dished the ball to Genell Addison for the fast break bucket late in the first.
Delaware State shot 23-of-69 (33.3%) from the field, and they did not make a single three-pointer 0-of-12. They shot 14-of-23 (60.9%) from the free-throw line.
South Carolina State made 20-of-47 (42.6%) field goal attempts, including 8-of-16 (50.0%) on three-pointers. They also shot 15-of-28 (53.6%) from the charity stripe.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Delaware State did not make a three-pointer
2. South Carolina State committed 19 turnovers.
CHASING HISTORY
NaJai Pollard is four points shy from moving into second all-time in points and she needs just 44 points to break the school's all-time scoring record.
She also has 961 career rebounds, 20 boards away from moving into second in school history for most rebounds in a career.
Up Next
The Lady Hornets head to North Carolina to face the Aggies on Feb. 9. Tip-off is at 2:00 PM.
