Dec. 9, 2005

Final Stats

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. - After using a 9-0 run to break open a tie game midway through the second half, Delaware State converted 6-of-8 free throws in the closing minutes to record a 53-45 victory over the Navy women's basketball team, Friday night in Alumni Hall. The Lady Hornets improved to 4-1 on the season with the win, while Navy dropped to 5-3 on the year with the loss.

Navy, which entered the game averaging a Patriot League-best 71 points a game, struggled against the Delaware State pressure throughout the game. Navy turned the ball over 24 times while forcing only 12 Delaware State turnovers, which led to the Mids attempting 15 fewer shots than the Lady Hornets did (62-47) and negating Navy's better shooting percentage from the field (34.0%-29.0%).

In addition to the offensive woes of the Mids, Navy allowed Delaware State to haul in 19 offensive rebounds in the game.

"As I told the team, there are going to be nights when our offense struggles," said Navy head coach Tom Marryott. "Delaware State has a very good defense and we also missed a number of good shots. When those things happen, our defense needs to rise to the occasion. Tonight, we were not good enough on defense. Among other things, we did not finish possessions by blocking out and getting the rebound. We cannot do things like that and expect to consistently win games."

Neither offense enjoyed a solid first half, with Navy eventually taking an 18-16 lead into the locker rooms at halftime. The Mids turned the ball over 14 times during the opening 20 minutes, but forced the Hornets into shooting just 19.4 percent from the field to take the two-point lead at the break.

The Mids would take a five-point lead at 32-27 with 12:40 left to play in the game following a three-point field goal from Ashley Pelzek (Sr., East Longmeadow, Mass.) and jumper from Lauren Skrel (Sr., Walnut Creek, Calif.). The lead would be short-lived, however, as the Lady Hornets quickly went on a 7-0 run to take a 34-32 lead two minutes later.

The score would soon be tied for the seventh time in the second half at 36-36, then the Lady Hornets went on their 9-0 run to take a 45-36 lead with just under seven minutes left in the game. Delaware State was 3-of-3 from the field (with one three-point field goal) and 2-of-2 from the foul line during its run, while Navy missed each of its four shots from the field and both free throw attempts during the same stretch.

Navy would make one last run at Delaware State and climbed back to within three points at 48-45 with 1:20 left in the game following a Skrel steal and layup. The Lady Hornets took their time on the following offensive possession, not attempting a shot until the shot clock was about to expire. Players from both teams battled for the rebound, which led to a jump ball being called and, with the arrow pointing its way, Delaware State retaining possession with 45 seconds remaining.

Navy fouled three seconds later and Ashlee Burbage converted both of her free throw attempts to push the lead back to five points. Carly Meyer (Jr., Orlando, Fla.) missed a jumper on Navy's next possession, with Burbage grabbing the rebound and then sinking a pair of free throws after being fouled again.

Skrel led Navy's offense with 13 points, but also committed six turnovers in the game. Meyer, who played only 24 minutes due to early foul trouble, tallied eight points and a Navy-high eight rebounds.

Raquel Collier tallied 16 points to lead Delaware State.

The Midshipmen will not take to the court for another game for 10 days due to final exams being conducted next week at the Naval Academy. Navy's next game will be Dec. 19 when the Mids play host to St. Bonaventure in a 5 p.m. contest in Alumni Hall.