Boxscore

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -- Sophomore Vanessa Kabongo (at right) tied a career high with 17 points and freshman Jocelyn Bailey scored a season-high 14 to lead the University of Delaware women’s basketball team (3-3), who went on a 17-5 run in the first 11 minutes of the second half and coasted to a non-league victory on the road against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 64-45.

Delaware turned the ball over four times in the opening four minutes of play, and the Hens quickly found themselves down 8-2, but quickly regrouped and went on a 7-0 run, including 5-5 from the free-throw line. The Hawks and Blue Hens would trade baskets for a few minutes, but Kabongo’s layup with 7:01 left in the first half would put Delaware in the lead to stay.

According to Delaware Head Coach Tina Martin, the Hens had an awful start, but after the 30-second timeout she called, they suddenly started playing more crisp.

“We were sleepwalking in the first three minutes, and I yelled at them, and then they woke up,” Martin said. “I was starting to ask myself when we were going to grow up, and after that timeout, we started to.”

Having self-destructed in the final six minutes of play in their last two games, the Blue Hens were finally able to shut the door on their opponent in the second half as they outscored the Hawks 34-25.

After a three-point field goal by UMES’s Bria Jackson closed the gap to 32-23 at 18:32, Delaware went on a 15-2 run to go up 47-25 with 12:55 left in the game. Instead of letting the Hawks back in under the six minute mark, Delaware pushed its lead to 25 with 2:37 left in the game.

According to Martin, a big key to Delaware’s win was sophomore Ariene Jenkins’ rebounding. Jenkins grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds.

“Ariene was huge on the boards tonight. And that’s what we’re going to need to do to compete, is rebound well. Tonight we dominated,” Martin said of her squad’s 46-30 rebounding edge.

Free-throw shooting was also a major key for Delaware, as the Blue Hens made 23-33 (69.7) from the foul line, including 10-13 in the first half. Bailey was particularly impressive at the line, making 10-12.

AGATE:

DELAWARE (3-3, 0-0 CAA)
Riddick, 1-1 0-0 2, Jenkins, 2-7 4-5 8, Kabongo, 8-15 1-2 17, Benison, 2-4 3-5 7, Harris, 2-10 2-5 7, Bailey, 2-3 10-12 14, McLean, 0-3 0-0 0, Parker, 2-5 3-4 7, Thomas, 0-0 0-0 0, Gibson, 1-1 0-0 2.

UMES (0-6, 0-0 MEAC)
Speed, 2-4 0-0 5, McLane, 0-3 0-0 0, Jackson, 4-9 2-4 13, Morton, 3-9 2-2 10, Reid, 2-10 3-4 8, Agbasi ,0-2 0-0 0, Mozie, 0-1 0-1 0, Cook, 2-5 0-0 4, Battin, 0-2 1-2 1, McBride 0-4 4-4 4.

Halftime Score: Delaware 30, UMES 20; Three-Point Field Goals: D - 1-7 (Harris 1-4), UMES - 7-25 (Jackson, 3-7, Morton, 2-5,); Rebounds: D - 46 (Jenkins, 13, Parker, 8), UMES - 30 (Battin, 8); Assists: D - 4 (Kabongo 2), UMES - 7 (Morton, 2); Fouled Out: McBride -UMES; Total Fouls: D - 17, UMES - 24.