BRONX, NY -- Even on nights when her shot isn’t falling, University of Delaware junior guard Tyresa Smith always brings her best defensive effort.

That was never more important than in the final seconds of Delaware’s victory over Fordham Wednesday night. After missing a free throw with six seconds left that would have put the Hens up by three points, Smith (right) stole a pass by Vanessa Silva in the lane and followed up with a layup that sealed the Blue Hens’ 60-56 victory at Rose Hill Gymnasium.

The Blue Hens, who improved to 6-1 for the second time in the last three seasons, won their third straight game as Chrissy Fisher scored 14 points and pulled eight rebounds, Smith finished with 14 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, and Melissa Czorniewy added 12 points in the victory. The Hens hit on 11 of 14 free throws, including a 4 for 4 performance from Fisher, who stayed perfect at the line for the season at 16 for 16.

Delaware overcame a tough shooting night that saw the Hens connect on just 23 of 70 shots from the field, including a 5 for 20 performance from Smith, a member of last year’s Colonial Athletic Association All-Defensive team and one of Delaware’s all-time leaders in steals. However, the Hens held a 39-34 rebounding advantage and committed a season low eight turnovers - the team’s lowest total in the last 552 games since committing seven in an East Coast Conference semifinal win over Lafayette March 8, 1986.

Fordham (3-3) got a big game from Silva, a forward who finished with game highs of 16 points and 13 rebounds. Daniela Roark added 12 points, including four three-pointers, Stacy Price chipped in with nine points, and Lisa Carrol finished with eight points and five assists. The Rams were hurt by 17 turnovers.

“As always, its great to go out on the road and come back with a win,” said Delaware head coach Tina Martin. “Our team really pulled together in the last seven minutes tonight to help us get a big win.”

Fordham led or held a share of the lead for the first eight minutes of the game before the Hens erupted on a 13-0 run that started with a three-pointer and a jumper by Alena Koshansky (eight points, five assists) and ended with Delaware up 23-10 with 8:08 left in the half. Delaware eventually took a 33-26 advantage into intermission.

Delaware held that lead for the first eight minutes of the second half but the Rams slowly chipped away and took their first lead of the second stanza at 41-40 with 12:02 remaining on a layup by Carrol. Silva followed with a shot inside to up the lead to three before Delaware’s Czorniewy answered with four straight points of her own to give UD the lead back at 44-43 with 9:56 left.

Fordham gained its final lead of the night moments later when Silva scored again for a 45-44 Fordham advantage at the 9:44 mark. A jumper by Smith with 9:22 left gave the Hens the lead for good at 46-45.

The Hens upped the advantage to as many as seven points at 55-49 with 4:52 left and still held a 58-54 advantage after Czorniewy drained three-pointer with 1:16 left.

A jumper by Fordham’s Price cut the lead to 58-56 with 55 seconds left and the Rams had the chance to tie but were whistled for a shot clock violation with seven seconds remaining when a shot by Roark never reached the rim. Smith was then fouled and went to the line, setting up her game-clinching steal and layup.

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