DSU Hornets downed by Coppin State in MEAC Opener

DOVER, Delaware -- Coppin State shot nearly 53 percent from the field, highlighted by 10 three-point field goals (10-20), in a 73-54 win over Delaware State in the MEAC opener for both teams in Memorial Hall today.

The Hornets had won their last three and 12 of their previous 13 MEAC openers.

Casey Walker led three Delaware State players in double figures with 18 points. Walker was 7-for-14 from the field, including four-of-10 from three-point territory.

Kendal Williams had 16 points, while Tyshawn Bell added 12 for the Hornets.

Coppin State's Michael Murray led all players with 28 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from the beyond the arc.

Sterling Smith had 15 points, while former Delaware high school star Taariq Cephas added 12 points and a game-high 10 assists for the Eagles.

Walker hit a three-pointer and a lay-up to help give the Hornets a 7-5 lead in the early going.

Coppin State outscored DSU 16-4 over the next 11 minutes and opened up a 21-11 lead on a three-pointer Arnold Fripp with 5:39 left in the first half. The Eagles nailed four three-point field goals during the spurt.

The Hornets trailed 28-14 when Coppin’s Sterling Smith hit a three-ball with 3:20 left in the half.

Delaware State pulled to within 28-19 on a short jumper by Kendall Gray, but Brandon St. Louis hit a lay-up at the first half buzzer to extend Coppin State’s lead to 34-22 at the break.

The Eagles scored the first seven points of the second half, and opened up a 42-22 lead on a lay-up Cephas with 17:14 left to play.

Delaware State fell behind 54-32 on two Coppin State free throws with 10:12 remaining in the game. The Hornets answered with a 9-2 run, and pulled to within 56-41 on a three-pointer by Walker with 7:36 left. The run included a four-point play by Williams, who was fouled while hitting a three-point shot.

The Hornets could get no closer the rest of the way,

Coppin State was 27-for-51 from the field for the game (52.9%), including 14-of-24 in the second half (58.3%)

Delaware State was 17-of-44 (38.6%) from the field. The Hornets had seven three-point field goals in 25 attempts (28%). .

The Eagles also won the rebound battle 32-to-23.

Coppin State improved to 3-4 overall. The Hornets fell to 2-7.

Gray matched his season–high with five blocks for the Hornets. It was his 12th career game with at least five blocks.

Delaware State returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 15 against Howard University in the Big Apple Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y. Game time is 6:00 p.m. at the Barclays Center, home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS