Wright State University
2-0
Delaware State
2-1
Women Hold Off Delaware State 57-53
11/19/2011 5:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Wright State women's basketball team led by as much as 13 in the first half, but had to hold off a Delaware State rally before defeating the Hornets 57-53 Saturday night at WSU's Nutter Center.
Tierra Hawkins gave Delaware State the early lead with a three-point play, but the Raiders answered with eight unanswered and later extended the margin to 26-13 on two Shaunda Sandifer free throws with 2:36 remaining in the first half.
An Uchechi Ahaiwe jumper and a three from Alexis Thornton drew the Hornets to within eight before a Sandifer basket in the final minute made it 28-18 at the break. WSU shot just 29 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including two of 13 from behind the arc, while Delaware State also struggled, shooting 25 percent overall and was one of seven from three-point range.
DSU started the second half on a 14-2 run, 10 coming from Tasia Bristow, to regain the lead at 32-30 before Sandifer tied it with two foul shots with 16 minutes to go.
A Molly Fox jumper gave Wright State the lead for good at 37-35, but the lead was no more than six for the next 11 minutes.
KC Elkins made it 55-48 on a three from the left wing with 1:57 remaining, but back came the Hornets with five straight to cut the deficit to two and Delaware State had possession after Sandifer missed two free throws with 16 seconds left.
Deanna Harmon, though, missed a three attempt and after Elkins grabbed the rebound and was fouled, she hit two foul shots at the 3.7-second mark to seal the victory.
The Raider offense never got on track the entire night as they shot 20 percent in the second half to finish at 24 percent overall, including four of 25 from three. WSU, though, was 21 of 27 from the foul line compared to just seven of 10 for Delaware State. The Hornets shot 41 percent the final 20 minutes to end up at 34 percent for the game.
Wright State held a 50-47 rebounding edge, including 26-19 on the offensive end, which resulted in a 16-7 differential in second-chance points.
Fox led all scorers with 16 points for the Raiders, 11 coming in the second half, and finished with a double-double as she added 10 rebounds. Sandifer, who had 13 points and eight rebounds in her WSU debut last November 21 at Delaware State, posted a double-double of 16 points and 10 boards. Elkins chipped in eight off the bench.
Hawkins paced Delaware State (2-1) with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds while Bristow had 13 and Ahaiwe 11.
Wright State (2-0) now hits the road for five straight, starting on Tuesday, November 22, with a visit to Western Kentucky. Tip-off is at 8:00 Eastern.
