Boxscore

Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware men’s basketball squad opened the exhibition season with a 72-70 setback to NCAA Division II power Philadelphia University Monday night at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Philadelphia guard Russell Frederick, a pre-season All-American, scored a game-high 21 points and drained 12 of 16 free throws, including two with seven seconds left that proved to be the game-winner. His three-pointer with 32 seconds left tied the game at 70-70.

After trailing for most of the game until the final three minutes of play, Delaware had the chance to tie the game in the closing seconds but Jawan Carter’s driving layup down the lane was blocked by Mike Yocum just before the final horn.

Philadelphia, annually one of the top team’s in NCAA Division II, went 25-6 and captured the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title last season under legendary head coach Herb Magee, who has won 880 games over 42 seasons. The Rams have been listed in the pre-season Top 25 in several polls.

Delaware, under fourth-year head coach Monté Ross, is looking to bounce back from a 13-19 mark a year ago when the Hens placed ninth in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 6-12 league mark.

“Tonight's game was a exercise in us finding out who we are,” said Ross. “Those guys did a really good job of running their stuff, which gave us a good idea of what areas we need to improve. I saw some good things from our freshmen, and it was nice to have a presence inside where we can score the basketball. We are definitely a work in progress, but I saw some encouraging signs tonight.”

Carter (at right), a junior point guard, led the Blue Hens with 16 points, including 11 of 12 shooting from the foul line, while first-year Rhode Island transfer Hakim McCullar added 13 points and five rebounds, junior guard Alphonso Dawson added 12 points and six rebounds, and junior guard Edwin Santiago added 11 points.

Frederick also added eight rebounds and five assists for Philadelphia U. while Marcus Lemon added 16 points and Malcolm Ingram contributed 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

The teams combined to commit 59 fouls, including 35 by Delaware, with the Rams converting 32 of 48 attempts, including 21 of 29 in the second half. Delaware drained 25 of 32 free throws but shot just 36.5 percent from the field on 19 of 52 shooting.

The Blue Hens jumped out to a 6-0 lead and stayed in front for most of the first half before a 7-3 run to end the half sent the Rams up 38-29 at the break. Delaware tied the score twice in the first six minutes of the second half before seven straight free throws by the Rams but Philadelphia up 49-42.

Delaware bounced back with two three-pointers by Edwin Santiago and four straight points from Carter to take the lead at 54-52 with 8:20 remaining, but Philadelphia regained the lead and stayed in front for the next four minutes, going up by as much as five points at 65-60 at the 4:52 mark.

Three straight free throws by Carter gave the Hens a 70-67 lead with 2:01 remaining, but Delaware would not score again. Frederick nailed a three-pointer with 32 seconds left to tie the game at 70-70 and the Rams got the ball back when Delaware’s Adam Pegg missed a 17-foot jumper. Santiago fouled Frederick in the backcourt and the senior guard hit both ends of the two-shot foul to give Philadelphia the lead. Carter then pushed the ball upcourt and into the lane but was stuffed by Yocum just before the final horn.

Delaware will open the regular season Nov. 14 when the Hens host Temple University at 12 noon at the Bob Carpenter Center.