NEWARK — The Delaware men’s lacrosse squad wanted to prove it belonged with the other 16 best teams in the country.

The Blue Hens left no doubt after cruising to a 20-8 victory over Robert Morris in an NCAA tourney play-in game at Delaware Stadium on Wednesday night.

Colonial Athletic Association champion Delaware (12-5), which is playing in the NCAAs for the first time in 11 years, advances to face No. 2 Georgetown on Sunday night. The game will be played in Washington, D.C. at 8:30 p.m. (ESPN-U).

“I’m so proud and so excited for this team,” said Delaware coach Ben DeLuca. “They’ve worked so hard for an opportunity like this and to have a performance like that. From day one they have bought into this process.

“They played so well under the lights at Tubby Raymond (Field) and it was great and really special. Today’s game was a quick turnaround and it didn’t deter them. Every one of them has worked their tail off this season.”

Playing at home in the NCAAs for the first time in program history, the Hens jumped out to a 3-0 advantage over ASUN champion Robert Morris.

When J.P. Ward (5 goals, 2 assists) scored his second goal of the game and the first of the second quarter, Delaware owned a 7-1 advantage. The Hens netted a season-high 10 first-half goals to lead 10-1 at intermission.

The third quarter started just like the first. Delaware scored three consecutive goals to get the second half going to open up a 13-1 advantage.

Robert Morris scored four of its eight goals in the final nine minutes of the fourth quarter.

A goal from Caesar Rodney High grad Demetrius Stevenson’s goal with 1:38 remaining in the game gave the Hens a new season-high 20 goals.

“I think it’s all about the week of practice leading up to it,” said Ward. “The coaches did a really good job of putting in a game plan and being able to execute it against a really good team tonight. I’m glad we were able to get it done.”

Matt Kilkeary made nine saves to improve to 7-2 on the season.