Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

PRINCETON, N.J. -- University of Delaware women’s basketball freshman Elena Delle Donne scored 35 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, but the Blue Hens dropped a 68-59 non-conference decision to host Princeton University on Saturday afternoon at Jadwin Gym.

Delle Donne’s (at right) 35 points rewrote a freshman single-game scoring record last set on Feb. 19, 1998 by Danielle Leyfert who scored 34 points against Northeastern University.

Though Princeton (3-0 overall) got off to a commanding 13-0 start, Delaware (1-1 overall) brought the game within two on a Delle Donne three-pointer with 5:51 remaining in the first half, but the Tigers continued to stay a step ahead to lead by five at the break. In the latter half, the teams battled back-and-forth prior to Princeton making a 18-6 run for a 17-point advantage at 8:02.

Delaware answered and brought the game within five at 2:21, but the Hens were forced to foul in the waning minutes. The Tigers went 4-for-4 from the foul line to finalize all scoring at 68-59.

Junior guard Tesia Harris responded to the Tigers’ 13-0 opening drive to get the Hens on the board at 15:53. Junior forward Ariene Jenkins then hit two straight jumpers to get the Hens in the game. A pair of baskets were exchanged before Jenkins went 2-for-2 from the charity stripe and capitalized on an assist from junior Jocelyn Bailey to bring the Hens within five on a layup.

Each team scored a duo of baskets and the Tigers notched two free throws before Delle Donne got hot. After shooting 0-3 in the opening minutes, the Wilmington, Del. native drained 14-straight UD points. Delle Donne started her streak with an unconventional three-point play, a layup and a good foul shot, before rattling off back-to-back three pointers to bring the Blue and Gold within two.

Princeton’s Niveen Rasheed had two consecutive layups to extend the host’s lead by six. Delle Donne then hit a jumper a 4:05 before the Tigers drove the game inside and Addie Micir polished off a layup. Delle Donne notched a basket in the paint and swished the foul shot to follow before Princeton’s Devona Allgood hit the Tigers’ fifth layup in a row to take a five-point lead into the locker room at the half.

Princeton opened the second frame with a layup by Lauren Edwards just 15 seconds into action and Bailey responded by making good on a pair of free throws, before the Tigers again went inside for two unanswered layups.

At 15:34 a Delle Donne three brought the Hens within four, though that is as close as the visiting squad would come. The Tigers tallied 10 straight points before Bailey broke the ice with a pair of free throws at 12:24.

Micir drilled a shot from beyond the arc at 9:15 to extend the lead to 17 prior to Delle Donne hitting a layup at 8:54. Rasheed and Delle Donne exchanged layups before the 6-5 Delle Donne hit another pair from the stripe.

Delaware looked to challenge Princeton as the Hens scored nine straight points to trail 62-54 with 3:58 remaining in the game. UD brought the game within five on a Delle Donne three at 2:21, but Delaware was forced to foul and the Tigers who were perfect from the line to earn a nine-point cushion to seal the victory.

Delle Donne who tallied 14 of Delaware’s final 16 points, recorded the Hens first double double of the season and added a block and an assist. Bailey had seven points and three assists, while Jenkins scored eight. Harris pulled down six rebounds for UD.

Princeton, who led the Hens for a full 39:38, scored four in double digits. Micir led the Tigers with 18 points and six assists, while both Edwards and Rasheed tallied 14, and Laura Johnson recorded 11.

“Our defensive rotation is struggling,” said veteran head coach Tina Martin. “The name of the game tonight was defense and we did not defend like we should have. We have some work to do.”

Delaware will next travel to Colorado State University on Friday, Nov. 27 for a 5 p.m. MT game against the University of Houston, the first of the Coors Rocky Mountain Invitational. The Hens will then play on Saturday, Nov. 28 in the consolation or championship game of the tournament against CSU or Texas State.

AGATE:

Delaware.........28.....31.......59
Princeton........33.....35.......68

Delaware (1-1): Delle Donne 12-21 7-9 35; Riddick 1-1 0-0 2; Bailey 1-5 5-6 7; Kabongo 0-3 0-0 0; Benison 0-5 0-0 0; McLean 0-0 0-0 0; Parker 1-2 1-2 3; Jenkins 3-5 2-2 8; Harris 2-13 0-0 4; Totals: 20-55 15-19 59.

Princeton (3-0): Micir 6-12 2-2 18; Edwards 7-12 0-0 14; Allgood 3-5 0-0 6; Johnson 4-10 0-1 11; Rasheed 5-10 4-5 14; Hill 0-1 0-0 0; Miller 2-5 1-2 5; Brown 0-1 0-0 0; Totals: 27-56 7-10 68.

Halftime: Delaware 28, Princeton 33; Three-Point Field Goals: DEL 4-14 (Delle Donne, 4), PU 7-16 (Micir, 4; Johnson, 3); Rebounds: DEL - 33 (Delle Donne, 10), PU - 35 (Allgood, 9); Assists: DEL - 7 (Bailey, 3), PU - 12 (Micir, 6); Fouled Out: None; Fouls: DEL - 16, PU - 15; Attendance: 525.