By Andy Walter

Jelani Williams’ contested shot from the lane with just 2.8 seconds left in overtime gave Howard a dramatic 86-85 victory over Delaware State in MEAC men’s basketball Saturday evening.

The Hornets took an 85-84 lead on a free throw by O’Koye Parker with just 18 seconds remaining. But Parker missed the second foul shot and Williams brought the ball upcourt, eventually backing into the lane and getting off the game-winner.

Delaware State would have had to go the length of the court to get off a shot before the final buzzer but, after a timeout, the Bisons’ Shy Odom stole the inbounds pass to seal the victory.

In a contest that featured 22 lead changes, the Hornets rallied from a 15-point deficit to eventually send the game into OT. Parker’s drive with 15 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 75-75.

Parker finished with a game-high 24 points for DelState with Martaz Robinson (17), Brandon Stone (13) and Khyrie Staten (12) all leading the Hornets (3-5 MEAC, 5-18 overall).

WOMEN, Delaware 83, UNC-Wilmington 47: Makayla Pippin netted a career-high 25 points in the Blue Hens’ CAA victory Friday night.

The senior hit her first seven shots from the floor before going 9-for-15 for the contest for Delaware (6-5 CAA, 13-9 overall). Michelle Ojo (14), Nakiyah Mays-Prince (11), Tara Cousins (11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) and Rebecca Demeke (100 also scored in double figures.

Delaware has won seven in a row over the Seahawks while the 36-point margin was its biggest since last season’s season opener.

Howard 57, Delaware State 42: The Bison built a 31-10 halftime advantage before handing Hornets the MEAC loss.

Delaware State (2-6 CAA, 4-15 overall), which lost its 13th straight meeing with Howard, was led by Savannah Brooks (17) and Tyshonne Tollie (12).

College lacrosse

MEN, Delaware 14, Lafayette 5: Tye Kurtz scored five goals as the No. 12 Blue Hens rolled to the season-opening victory.

He is two points away from becoming the seventh player in program history to reach 200 points. Matt Kilkeary had 12 saves while Roland Hockenberry was 12-of-17 in faceoffs.

The five goals were the least amount of goals the Blue Hens allowed since Feb. 20, 2021, when they defeated NJIT 15-4. It was also the first time the Hens held an opponent to five goals or less in the season opener since 2014 against High Point.

WOMEN, Delaware State 16, Howard 4: London Downing netted four goals with Rossella Nardi adding three in the Hornets’ season-opening win.

Gwenna Gentle and Mica Lambert added two goals apiece for DSU, which had 31 shots on goal to 12 for the Bison. Goalie Yeda Couto-Erickson made seven saves.

Delaware 13, Lehigh 11: Keira Grant and Danielle Livornese both recorded the second hat tricks of their careers as the Blue Hens won their season opener on Friday.

The McHale sisters, Laurel (two assists) and Jenna, both scored twice while Riley Gillin had a career-high four assists. On defense, Madison Hranicka had three ground balls and four caused turnovers, and Mercy McCarthy had six saves.

College softball

Hens start season 4-0: Delaware scored the final five runs of the contest to rally for a 7-4 win over Northwestern State on Saturday.

Afer beating UTSA, 4-2, earlier in the day, the Blue Hens went 4-0 in the season-opening Bearkat Classic at Sam Houston Sate. Delaware opened the tournament by beating UTSA, 6-1, and Sam Houston State, 11-1, on Friday.

College equestrian

South Dakota State 10, Delaware State 9: The Hornets came up short to ECAC rival South Dakota State 10-9 at the DeHaan Equestrian Center on Friday.

The Hornets collected two Most Outstanding Performer awards in the match. DSU’s Olivia Brown was honored for her score of 89 aboard “Mia” on the flat, while Amber Van Segbrook was MOP for her victory in Reining with a score of 72 on “Bullet.”

Megan Pratt (83) and Grace Mangrum (83) joined Brown with victories on the Flat, while Victoria Croston (72) and Megan Winborne (80) were Jumping Seat winners for the Hornets in Fences.

In the Western competition, DSU’s Stacia Brugger (70) was victorious in Reining, while teammates Alex Grogan (72) and Casey Johnson posted wins in Horsemanship.

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at walter@iniusa.org. Follow on Twitter at @DSNSports.