The Snowstorm Game: Delaware State vs Hampton 2: The Sequal

Who would have thought we will have another snow storm in the Hornets nest against the same team. Well it happen again yesterday during the Hornets game vs Hampton University.

Even though the state of Delaware was piled with another storm storm, the second in two months, it didn't stop Hornets fans from attending a rivalry game that lasted for a very long time.

On the ladies side the lady hornets fell into a early hole they couldn't get out off by making only five field goals of their 23 shots in the first half. The shots the lady hornets took were as cold as the snow and ice outside the gym.

Even though they improve their offense in the second half, the game was over from the start as the lady hornet lost to the lady pirates 62-43.

Its already been a tough season for the lady hornets who are playing with injuries, bad offense, and what's worse they even have a good starting five throughout the season. I hope the lady hornets get it together all month in February or else they finishing in last place in the MEAC Conference standings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the men's side it was very exciting to watch. Almost similar to January 2005 when the game went down to the wire.

This time the game didn't go to overtime as the Hornets escape Hampton with defense, offensive rebounds, and clutch free throws to secure the win.

DSU Die Hards, Hornet fans, some Hampton fans, the Approaching Storm Marching Band, and the cheerleaders were ready for this exciting contest.

During the first half, Hampton was make shots left and right and the Hornets were forced to play catch up as the Hornets were down 33-29 at halftime.

During halftime, it was a reunion of Hornets basketball players of the past as they honor for their help and support throughout the years. Also when Troy Roundtree was named the whole was in a standing ovation.

Everyone knows about Troy Roundtree's performance on and off the court plus being a MEAC Champion during his Hornets years from 2004-2007. ROundtree was being honored of his by his mentor and gave him a ball to help his inspiration as he begins his rehab very soon. Get well soon Troy.

In the second half, the Hornets cached up and the game went backed and forth as the crowd was alive and kicking as the Hornets make clutch shots when they needed the most including grabbing 20 offensive rebounds. But with two minutes left in the game both teams had chances to take the lead or expand. However it was the Hornets who wanted more than the Pirates.

Also Jay Threatt was everywhere making plays when it counted the most putting Rajon Rondo like numbers with six assists, five steals, four rebounds, and two points.

Marcus Neal was the hero of the game by hitting the game winning shot with 24 seconds left. With 15 seconds left the pirates had a chance to take the lead but they couldn't get the shot in the basket as Terron "big baby" Stowe grabbed the rebound and hit one of his two free throws with three seconds left.

Hampton had one last chance but Jay Threatt steals the ball as time runs out.

This time we didn't storm the court but we enjoy the win when it counted the most as DSU continued to try get up in the standings with Morgan State.

Also it was a emotional win for Troy Roundtree who stay to see the Hornets win the game against the same team he play with back in January 2005.

Hornets offense better get it together on Monday and better not take Howard likely because Howard is 5-3 in conference entering Monday.

Injury Bugs Continue to Haunt The Lady Hornets as the Struggles Continued

There is one word that describes the Lady Hornets basketball season this year: injuries.

Everytime you lose a key player, most of the games you will face the toughest struggle ever and that's what coach Ed Davis and the lady hornets are facing this season.

Saturday during the Lady Hornets 62-58 lost to Morgan State on the road, leading rebounder Brittany Washington injured her ankle during the second half and was out for the rest of the game. It was another big blow to the lady hornets squad who now has to step up even further in order to win games out the rest of the season.

In the MEAC Conference its never easy.

This isn't the first time Washington has a injury. Earlier in the season she had back trouble all December and had to miss six games during their non-conference schedule before returning January 9.

There were other lady hornets that were injured:
Selena Galloway had to deal with a broken nose and a ankle injury and miss several games before returning to play January 30 vs William & Mary.

Also on that same date, Ferderica "Dee" Holloman injured her leg but came back to play January 17 vs Florida A&M.

On October 31, senior forward Ashley Thompson injured her leg and hasn't come back this season since.

Its going a rough season for the lady hornets all season but I'm pretty sure the lady hornets know it. So as the lady hornet licking their wounds of injuries, I know for a fact the lady hornets will keep on fighting, finished strong, and win games to build momentum for the first round of the MEAC tournament in March.

The Week That Was In Hornets Sports

Its that time Hornets fans for the week that was in Delaware State University Athletics. So without further or due lets take a trip down memory lane from January 11-16.

January 11
The Men's and Lady Hornets Basketball team secure their first conference wins thanks to some unsung heroes.

On the ladies side, Brittany Washington scored the game winning layup with six seconds left as the lady hornets defeat the South Carolina Lady Bulldogs 51-50. Washington had her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes in her second game back from a back injury.

On the men's side, it wasn't the Marcus Neal, Frisco Sandige show. It was the Chad Wilson, Brandon Baylor show. Wilson and Baylor scored a combine 30 points as the hornets came back from a nine point halftime deficit to beat South Carolina State 67-58.

In a frustrating first half, the hornets offense couldn't get the shots to fall and their free throws were iced cold. So what does head coach Greg Jackson do in the second half? He switch the lineup by benching Marcus Neal (the hornets leading scorer) and Terron Stowe.

The second half was all hornets as they make their shots, hit their free throws, and grabbing offensive rebounds to seal the victory.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 13
This date has a nest full of headlines.
-The men's and lady hornets indoor track and field team finished second in the New York at the New York City Relay. A great start to finished in the top 10.

-It was also a sad day for the Hornets Athletic Department as two more sports has
been dismissed from DSU. The hornets men's tennis team and lady hornets equestrian team are no longer with the Delaware State University program after the season is over due to low budget concerns and to be more competitive within its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). There were more reason behind the two sports that are being removed at the end of the season. Some say it was a good decision while others say it was bad decision.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-January 14-15
After the news was spread all around campus as the Lady Hornets Equestrian team took immediate action when they protest about the dismissal of the equestrian. After several meetings on campus the ruling from Athletic Director Derek Carter stands. So now the equestrian team next move could be in court. Stay tuned.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-January 16
The hornets men's and ladies basketball team begin a four game road trip. Their first stop was Bethune-Cookman College at Daytona Beach. On the ladies side the lady hornets rally but fell short 70-62. Selena Galloway had 19 points while Brittany Washington had 15 points for the lady hornets.

On the men's side, four hornets players scored in double figures as the red hot shooting Hornets defeated the Wildcats 77-60. For the Hornets they have won their third straight game and also winning their first road game of the season.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There you have it the week from January 11-January 16. Join me next time as I continue to keep Hornets fans up to date in The Week That Was In Hornets Sports.

Hornets Basketball Begin the New Decade By Ending Losing Streaks

On December 30th both the Delaware State men and lady hornets basketball team ended the decade with a loss. Lady Hornets lost to William & Mary and another Hornet player was injured. The hornet men lost a overtime game to Lehigh in a game where they had chances to sercue the victory.

Now we moved ahead to a new year, a new decade, and hopefully a fresh start for the Hornets.

On the ladies side the ladies finally ending their 12 game losing streak by defeating Winston-Salem 57-39. Eight different Lady Hornets score points as Selena Galloway lead the way with 14 points and Courtney Crokkett with 10 points. Plus guess who back from injury: Brittany Washington!!!

After missing six games due to injury, Washington returned on a high note fours points, three steals, and three rebounds in 17 minutes.

Plus it was the returned of the lady hornets "Detroit Piston" like defense as DSU forced 24 Lady Ram turnovers resulting in 28 points off of turnovers.

I hope the lady hornets continue to play they had because their first test will be South Carolina State Monday night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the men's side the deck was stacked againts the Hornet men because Frisco Sandige was sideline with a injury and the Hornets offense struggles to find their identity.

The Hornets trailed all game long until Alibaba Odd scored the game winning layup with 0.9 seconds as Delaware State wins a low scoring affiar 49-48 to break a six game losing streak. The Philly freshman scored his only bucket of the game when he drove baseline from inside the three point line as made the layup that sent 400 people inside Memorial Hall into a fenzy. It was also the only the lead of the game and it came at the right time.

Marcus Neal, the teams captian, step up big time by scoring 20 points including six three-pointers. Terron Stowe had a career high double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets defense did a better job than that loss to Lehigh back on December 30. DSU forced 21 Ram turnovers resulting in 21 points off of turnovers.

Now the real test begin Monday as Delaware State looks to get payback form last year when they play South Carolina State at home.

The Snowstorm Game 2005: Delaware State vs Hampton

Over the weekend, the state of Delaware and almost entire east coast were covered with the biggest snow storm ever in decades.

While I was admiring the snow falling all over the place near my apartment something occur to me. When was the last time a Delaware State sporting event was ever played during a snowstorm?

Just like that I had a good memory. Lets go back to my freshman year January 22, 2005 when Delaware State was playing the Hampton Pirates in a basketball double header at Memorial Hall.

While it was cold and snowy was all day into heading into nighttime hours, inside the Memorial Gym was so packed and warm as students and fans braved the weather just to watch the best basketball game to begin their second semester.

On the ladies side, the Lady Hornets gave the lady pirates all they can handle. However, Hampton prevail at the end with 52-50 victory. That was when the DSU Die Hards were pre-rowdy for the men's game.

On the men's side, everyone knows that this will a very intense rivalry game and over 1,700 rowdy Hornet fans were on the edge of their seat the entire game as the Hornets took a 31-24 lead at halftime.

The second half was flat out crazy. Hampton started the second half on a 15-0 run as the Pirates took a 57-55 lead with little time left in regulation.

Hampton thought they were going to win the game by shooting 63% from the field but the Hornets Aaron Williams made a game-tying layup to force overtime with two seconds left. The gym went completely crazing with that shot.

In overtime, the Hornets and Pirates were struggling in a fight for survival but the Hornets made a fantastic finish. With the game tied at 64 DSU's Aaron Fleetwood miss the shot and then Terrance Hunter miss the shot as well until Sophomore Jahsha Bluntt made a 10 foot put back shot that set the Memorial Hall into a frenzy as the Hornets win overtime 66-64.

Bluntt told the Hornet Newspaper that shooters keep shooting you know? He said it best that he had a shooter's mentality and he was confident in his shot.

The Hornet fans partied in the gym for a while before playing in the snow for most of the night.

It was the best snow storm game ever to hit Delaware State University. I was glad I was there to witnessed that game and of course that shot was similar to the one when the Hornets beat that same team to win the 2005 MEAC Championship to play Duke two months later in the NCAA Tournament.

Like I said before snow bring good memories espcially in the Hornets Nest.

Lady Hornets Bowling MEAC North Division Champions

It's only the month of December and the Lady Hornets Bowling team have already clinch the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference North Division Title for the second straight year.

Now that was a quick accomplishment seeing as the Lady Hornets has eight bowling matches left in the regular season before the defending the MEAC Championship in March.

The Hornets captured the North crown after posting a perfect 10-0 record in division competition in Baltimore, Md., over the weekend. DSU was 5-0 in regular team games on December 5 and completed the sweep with a 5-0 mark in Baker matches on December 6.

In regular team play, the Hornets upended Hampton, Howard, Coppin State, Morgan State, and UMES (994-958).

Since DSU won the Northern Division crown that means that they earn the No. 1 seed in the 2010 MEAC Tournament.

Delaware State is currently 46-10 overall and 29-1 in the MEAC North this season.

Oh yeah did you know that the Lady Hornets are ranked number three in the nation in Bowling. Vanderbilt better watch out because if the Lady Hornets bowling team continue their winning ways they could be the #1 team in the nation.

Delaware State Shows University of Delaware Who Owns This State

For those who was at the Route 1 Rivalry game between DSU and UD December 1, we had a very early Christmas present. For those who miss it or heard it on the radio, this was the instate basketball game for the ages inside the Hornets Nest we called Memorial Hall.

During the Hornets 75-67 win over the Blue Hens, some questions came to my mind before tip-off:

1. How will will the Hornets fare against a Blue Hen basketball that hasn't played each other since 2000?

2. How many Hornets/Blue Hen fans will show up?

3. Which team will have gain momentum towards the rest of the season?

I have three answers to three questions.

My first answer is that the Hornets were ready for the challenge even though they trailed at halftime 25-23. Second half, different story, the Hornets were on fire shooting 58% from the field, 57% from 3-point land and going to the free throw line 37 times, making 28. The Hornets outscored the Blue Hens 52-42 in the second half.

Also the Hornets defense step up in a huge way with their swarming defense forcing the Blue Hen offense to make 20 turnovers which turned into 22 Hornets points to go along with 13 steals.

The Blue Hens defense was no match for Frisco Sandidge who scored a career high 26 points and Marcus Neal had 16 points to go along with his four three pointers. Plus
Most of the second half was a DSU free throw marathon as the Blue Hens were depressed to rally but they ran out of time by continuing to foul Hornet players left and right. Think out this Frisco went to the free throw line 16 times, Alibada Odd 10 times, Jay Threatt six times, while the rest of the Hornets roster went to the line a combine eight times. Wow we thought this game would never end. The Hornets made 20 of their 24 free throws in the final 2:56 of the second half.

My second answer over 1,300 fans packed up the Memorial Hall gym full of Hornets fans and only like 10 blue hen fans showed up. The Hornet fans was loud and rockin' the whole game. It almost became a war of words between Hornet fans and UD fans.

Speaking of war it was almost became one when UD player Jawan Carter fouled Jay Threatt with 20 seconds left with the game. Jay didn't like the foul that Carter commit but cooler heads prevail with both Carter and Alphonso Dawson received technical fouls as Hornets fans continued to chant and trash talk UD out the building.

Yep the First State Rivalry has been renewed not only in football but in basketball as well.

My third and final answer is that the Hornets has gain a huge momentum heading towards their December road trip starting with their conference game with University of Maryland Eastern-Shore this Saturday. Who knows the Hornets could have a good season ahead but its too early to tell at this point. If they keep their intensity, they could have a good season.

Next year will be Delaware State vs University of Delaware at the Bob Carpenter Center.

For now the Hornets will enjoy this win as DSU proved to UD that Delaware State University is now the Hornets State.