Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Freshman Elena Delle Donne drained 35 points to lead the University of Delaware women’s basketball team past Hofstra University, 71-65, in Colonial Athletic Association action at David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Sunday afternoon.

After dropping back-to-back late losses to CAA opponents Drexel and Virginia Commonwealth, Delaware (12-6, 4-3 CAA) bounced back to capture a commanding road victory over Hofstra (10-9, 3-4 CAA). The Blue Hens shot a solid 49 percent from the field and 72 percent from the free throw line, all while connecting on 55.6 percent from beyond the arc.

In the first frame, the teams opened in back-and-forth fashion until Delaware coordinated a 12-0 run that held the Pride scoreless for over seven minutes. The Hens continued its run to outscore Hofstra, 21-4, over a 10 minute period. Riddled by 11 turnovers and 10 fouls, Hofstra was unable to maintain a steady single-digit deficit, as Delaware led by as many as 14, though the Pride did in fact pull back within nine on several occasions.

Despite leading by 10 at intermission, Delaware was held scoreless for the opening five minutes of the second period, while the Pride outdid Delaware by scoring 12 of the 16 points over a seven and a half minute span. With the game at 39-37, Delle Donne (at right), a 6-5 All-American candidate and Naismith Player of the Year nominee, swished a pair of Delaware three-pointers to seal a comfortable lead through the final buzzer.

“We did what we needed to do today,” said veteran head coach Tina Martin. “Elena [Delle Donne] stepped up huge for us today, as did [Lauren] Carra and a handful of others. It was great to get a win today -- really good to see us have the kind of patience we showed. We shared the basketball and moved the basketball. It feels really good to get a road victory after few close losses.”

Delaware was first on the board, but Hofstra freshman forward Shante Evans scored five straight to help the Pride to a 7-6 lead just four minutes into action. The Blue Hens answered with 12 back-to-back including nine off the fingertips of Delle Donne to take a commanding 18-7 lead at 10:40.

Hofstra found Sophomore center Marie Malone under the basket for a pair of layups to bring the Pride within seven, but Delaware’s Jasmine Gibson, Jocelyn Bailey and Delle Donne combined for nine consecutive to allow the Hens a dominating 27-11 lead at 5:25.

As senior center Jess Fuller checked back into the game with a pair of fouls to her name, Hofstra drained seven points before Delle Donne drove left for a layup to return the Hens’ lead to double digits.

Freshman guard Lauren Carra swished two from the charity stripe, but Malone and Evans twice returned to Hofstra territory for layups to bring the game to 31-22. Carra hit the back-end on her next trip to the line before senior guard Sam Brigham drained a baseline three to again cut the lead to just seven, but Bailey would put the half away as she dribbled the length of the floor and connected on a left-handed layup before polishing off the half with the ensuing foul shot.

Fuller opened the second half with a basket that was backed by a free throw then an Evans’ layup, but freshman guard Jaquetta May broke the ice for UD at 14:43. Fuller was successful on a three-point play before May again connected down low. The Pride went on to outscore the Hens, 12-4, throughout the opening 7:24 to bring the game within two. But Delaware wasted little time before returning to dominance.

Delle Donne drained back-to-back threes from the top of the key to extend the Hens’ cushion back to eight and Gibson added a bucket to regain the 10-point spread.

Sophomore guard Nicole Capurso hit two from downtown, but Delaware responded to each with good free throws from Delle Donne and Miller before Gibson got another bucket.

Hofstra notched its third consecutive trey before Delle Donne responded with four to take an 11 point advantage at 7:37, the Hens’ biggest lead of the half. Fuller and Delle Donne exchanged a pair of points, as did Malone and Carra, before Delle Donne broke up a trio of Pride free throws with a jumper at 4:43.

The Hens kept a steady lead as time dwindled off the clock, but Sophomore guard Nicole Capurso hit her third three on the night to cut the lead to eight at 2:49. The squads swapped baskets before the Hens were sent to the line in the double bonus to put the game away. Evans recorded back-to-back buckets, but Delaware was able to stay a step ahead. The Blue Hens finalized all scoring at 71-65.

In addition to her game-high 35 points, Delle Donne added a team-high seven boards, while Carra added 10 points and five assists for the Hens. Bailey also contributed a solid seven points and six rebounds for UD. Hofstra tallied four in double digits. Fuller, Evans, Capurso and Malone scored 17, 16, 12 and 11, respectively, while Evans led all players with 9 rebounds and Fuller pulled down eight and tallied six blocks.

Delaware will next match up against Towson on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. in Newark at the Bob Carpenter Center.

AGATE:

Delaware.........35.....36........71
Hofstra............25.....40........65

Delaware (12-6, 4-3 CAA)
Parker 2-6 0-0 4, Riddick 0-2 0-0 0, Bailey 3-6 1-3 Miller 0-1 5-8 5, Delle Donne 12-21 7-8 35, May 2-4 0-0 4, Carra 2-5 5-6 10, Gibson 3-4 0-0 6. Totals: 24-49 18-25 71.

Hofstra (10-9, 3-4 CAA)
Evans 7-9 2-3 16, Fuller 8-10 1-1 17, Bellocchio 0-4 3-4 3, Terry 0-2 0-0 0, Brigham 2-6 0-0 6, Bond 0-5 0-0 0, Jenkins 0-0 0-2 0, Capurso 4-11 1-2 12, Malone 4-6 3-6 11, Uzamere 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 25-53 10-18 65.

Halftime: Delaware 35, Hofstra 25; Three-Point Field Goals: DEL 5-9 (Delle Donne, 4), HOF 5-12 (Capurso, 3); Rebounds: DEL - 31 (Delle Donne, 7), HOF - 31 (Evans, 9); Assists: DEL - 13 (Carra, 5), HOF - 20 (Bellocchio, 10); Fouled Out: None; Fouls: DEL - 18, HOF - 22; Attendance: 1,388.