DOVER, Delaware -- Casey Walker hit two free throws with 24.3 seconds left in overtime to lift Delaware State to a 66-65 win over Gardner-Webb in Memorial Hall this evening.Gardner-Webb had two shots on the final possession of the game, but came up empty. DSU's Kendall Gray blocked the first shot attempt out of bounds with 2.1 seconds left in the extra period. Naji Hibbert missed a three-point attempt from the left corner for the Runnin' Bulldogs as time expired.
The score was 61-61 at the end of regulation.
Gardner-Webb scored the first overtime points on two free throws by Tyrell Nelson with 3:12 left. The Hornets grabbed the lead, 64-63, on the three-point play by Gray with 2:50 remaining in the extra period.
The Running Rebels regained the lead, 65-64, on a jumper by Jerome Hill at the 1:52 mark in overtime.
After each team failed to score on their next possessions, Delaware State regained the ball with 55 seconds left to play.
DSU’s Tyshawn Bell missed a jumper with 29 seconds remaining, but the Hornets retained the ball when it was last touched by a Gardner-Webb player on the rebound before going out of bounds.
Delaware State inbounded the ball to Walker, who was fouled by Gardner-Webb’s Donta Harper while driving the baseline. He calmly knocked down the two free throws to give the Hornets the final lead of the game.
The Hornets used a strong second half performance to force the overtime.
Gardner-Webb led 33-23 at the half, and opened up a 48-33 lead on a dunk by Onzie Branch with 14:17 left in regulation.
The Hornets began their comeback on the next possession. A.J. Thomas hit a lay-up to jump start a 21-5 run over the next nine minutes. Kendal Williams capped off the rally with a three-point shot to give the Hornets a 54-53 lead with 4:59 remaining in the second half. Walker hit two three-point shots, while Thomas, Williams and Bell added four points each during the spurt.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs missed each of their four field goal attempts, committed six turnovers and was five-for-nine at the free throw line during the Hornets’ second half rally.
Walker led all players with 21 points, the high for a Hornet this season. His performance was highlighted by four three-point field goals, tying his season high. Walker also led the Hornets with eight rebounds.
Gray and Bell added 10 points each for DSU. It marked the fourth straight double-figure scoring game for Gray, who also had a game-high four blocks. Bell returned to action after missing the previous game due to an ankle injury.
Hibbert led three Gardner-Webb players in double figures with 12 points.
Delaware State was 26-for-58 from the field (44.8%), including seven-of-18 from three-point territory (38.9%). The Hornets were seven-for-nine at the free throw line.
Gardner-Webb hit 24 of its 56 shots from the field (42.9%) and five- of-18 from beyond the arc (27.8%). The Runnin’ Bulldogs missed 10 free throws in the game, going 12-for-22 at the line.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Hornets, who improved to 3-10 this season. The win was also the 199th at Delaware State for head coach Greg Jackson. He needs two wins to tie the late Bennie George (1949-71) for the all-time high in DSU men's basketball victories.
Gardner-Webb fell to 7-8 on the season.
The Hornets return to action on Saturday (Jan. 4) at Campbell University. Game time is 7:00 p.m. in Buies Creek, N.C.
Delaware State will return home on Jan. 11 to face MEAC rival Hampton. Game time is 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The homestand will also include a visit by Norfolk State on Jan. 13 (7:30 p.m.).
DSU vs Gardner-Webb_stats_plays
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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