NEWARK, Del. — William & Mary closed out a three-games-in-six-days stretch with a 80-53 setback at Delaware on Thursday night.
Led by the return of leading scorer Jameer Nelson Jr., who missed previous four games due to injury, the Blue Hens (11-9, 3-4 CAA) shot 56.1% for the game and 58.6% in the second half to pick up the win. Nelson Jr. led four UD players in double figures with 20 on 9-of-14 shooting.
Delaware got off to a quick start, scoring the game’s first seven points and led 18-9 nine minutes into the contest. Nelson Jr. had the first five for the Blue Hens.
W&M (8-12, 3-4 CAA) responded with a 10-0 run led by sophomore Matteus Case to take its first lead of the contest. Case scored six in a row including a driving lay-up down the left side of the lane to give W&M a 19-18 lead with 8:15 left in the opening half.
After Gabe Dorsey tied the game at 28 with his fifth 3-pointer of the first half at the 3:17 mark, Delaware scored eight-straight to take the lead into the locker room. Christian Ray, who tallied 13 points, scored the Blue Hens final six points of the half to send UD to a 38-31 halftime lead.
Delaware scored the first six points of second half in opening up a 44-31 lead. W&M briefly answered with four-straight, including a Charlie Williams jumper, to draw the visitor within 44-36 at the 16:30 mark.
The Blue Hens used a 16-6 run to put the game out of reach.
Dorsey led the Tribe with 18 points, knocking down 6-of-11 from 3-point range. Case added nine points and four rebounds off the bench.
Up Next
The Tribe returns home to take on CAA newcomer North Carolina A&T on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. from Kaplan Arena and the game will be broadcast on FloHoops.
