Hofstra Seniors Lead Pride To 79-60 Men's Basketball Victory Over Delaware
February 26, 2011
Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Boxscore
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Charles Jenkins scored 21 points while classmates Greg Washington and Brad Kelleher each added 12 as the trio celebrated their Senior Day by leading Hofstra to a 79-60 Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball victory over the University of Delaware Saturday afternoon at the Mack Sports Complex.
The Blue Hens, who conclude the regular season at 13-16 overall and 8-10 in the league, will be the seventh seed in next weekend's CAA Tournament and will face 10th-seeded Northeastern in Friday's first round at 6 p.m. Delaware swept the regular season series from the Huskies, posting a 54-52 win in Newark on January 19 and a 72-66 triumph in Boston on February 15.
Jawan Carter (at right) led the Blue Hens on Saturday with 21 points, as he recorded his fourth straight 20-point game and his 12th of the season while surpassing the 1,500-point mark for his UD career. Carter, who also went 9 of 9 from the foul line, extended his streak of consecutive made free throws to 35, second all-time at Delaware to Greg Miller who made 46 straight in 1999-2000.
Devon Saddler, a strong contender for the conference Rookie of the Year award that will be announced at the CAA Awards Banquet on Thursday, contributed 17 points a team-high eight rebounds as he reached double figures for the 12th straight contest.
However no other Blue Hen player scored more than six points as Delaware shot just 35.4 percent from the field. UD was playing its second straight game without sophomore forward Jamelle Hagins, who did not make the trip due to an infected toe but hopes to return for the CAA Tournament.
The Pride, which improved to 20-10 overall and 14-4 in the league, won its 14th consecutive Senior Day and can finish no lower than third in the conference standings. Hofstra posted its sixth straight win over Delaware and its 11th consecutive victory over the Blue Hens in Hempsetad.
Jenkins, who ranks sixth in the nation with 23.3 points per game, had his jersey retired in a pregame ceremony before leading the Pride with 21 points to go with four assists and four steals.
In addition to his 12 points Washington grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and blocked four shots, while Mike Moore and Shemiye McLendon each contributed 11 points as the Pride put five players in double figures. Hofstra connected on 16 of 28 field goals during the second half, finishing the game at 50.8 percent, and went a perfect 15 of 15 from the foul line.
"We had to put too much pressure on our defense today because we just couldn't make many shots," said fifth-year Blue Hen head coach Monté Ross. "We had shot well during the last five games and got good looks today, but they just didn't go down. We didn't let it affect our defense, but Hofstra shot really well in the second half so you have to give them credit. We will be ready to go against Northeastern on Friday."
After Hofstra jumped out to an early 9-5 lead Delaware answered with six consecutive points, while a three-pointer by Carter gave the Blue Hens their first lead at 14-11 with 12:27 remaining in the opening half.
Carter scored in transition to put Delaware up 21-19 but McLendon scored consecutive baskets to ignite a 9-0 Pride run that gave Hofstra a 26-19 advantage at the 5:51 mark. Delaware hit five of six free throws in the final four minutes to pull within five, before Moore converted on a drive to the basket just before the horn as the Pride took a 33-26 lead into the break.
It was still a seven-point game early in the second period, but Jenkins and Kelleher each connected from behind the arc to put the Pride ahead 44-31 with 14:14 on the clock.
After Carter completed a three-point play to bring Delaware within 48-36, Jenkins and Washington each scored twice during an 8-0 run as the Pride went up 56-36 with 9:24 remaining.
The Blue Hens were down 21 a minute later but reeled off six consecutive points to cut the margin to 58-43 and force a Hofstra time out with 6:25 left. However McLendon answered with a three-point play and the Pride led by at least 15 the rest of the way.
