NEWARK — Delaware had a chance to send its seniors out with a win on their home court on Saturday.

But the Blue Hens weren’t up to the task.

UNC-Wilmington gradually pulled away in the second half to post a 69-62 victory over Delaware in CAA men’s basketball at the Carpenter Center.

The Blue Hens are now 10-7 in the CAA, 19-11 overall after their second straight loss. Picked as the league’s pre-season favorite, Delaware instead will be either the fourth or fifth seed in the CAA Tournament and will face Drexel

in the quarterfinals on March 6 at 2:30 p.m.
“Congrats to UNCW, they’re a good team and their defensive pressure really bothered us,” said UD coach Martin Ingelsby. “I thought we guarded well in segments, but couldn’t get into an offensive flow.

“Jyare Davis continues to be one of the best frontline players in the league, but our guards couldn’t get going. We’re dealing with some adversity, but we have a chance to regroup and get a win on Monday before preparing for the CAA Tournament.”

Davis led Delaware with a season-high 23 points and seven rebounds, reaching double figures for the eighth consecutive outing. Jameer Nelson Jr. contributed 12 points and six boards, while Andrew Carr chipped in 10 points.

The Blue Hens shot just 43.8 percent from the field, including 6 of 17 from behind the arc.

UNCW (15-3 CAA, 21-8 overall) shot just 40.0 percent from the floor, but held a 37-26 rebounding edge including 13 offensive boards.

After both teams got off to a slow start offensively, Delaware used a seven-point run to take a 19-14 lead on a Carr transition layup at the 5:44 mark.

However, the Seahawks scored eight of the final 12 points of the half to take a 26-23 lead into the break.

UNCW then opened the second half with a 6-0 run, and the lead eventually grew to 49-35 on a Jaylen Fornes three-pointer midway through the stanza.

The Blue Hens got within six in the final minute, but would not get closer.
Delaware closes its regular season on Monday with the continuation of the road game at Towson beginning at 6 p.m.