By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Jameer Nelson, Jr. said he wasn’t going to worry how quickly he scored on Thursday night.

The standout Delaware guard, who missed the last four games with a knee injury, just wanted William & Mary to know hwas out there.

“I just wanted the defense to feel me, regardless if I was shooting or if I was getting downhill and just passing,” said Nelson, Jr. “I just wanted them to feel that I was back.”

Nelson did better than that, though, scoring the first five points of the night and finishing with a game-high 20 as the Blue Hens cruised to an 80-53 victory over William & Mary in a CAA men’s basketball contest at the Carpenter Center.

Delaware led from start to finish after tallying the game’s first seven points. Six players scored at least seven points as the Hens (3-4 CAA, 11-9 overall) snapped a two-game losing streak.

The decisive win was especially sweet for Delaware after it blew a four-point lead with 14 seconds left in a one-point loss at Northeastern on Monday. The 80 points were a season-high for Delaware.

“We’ve really struggled to score the basketball the last couple games — especially without that guy (Nelson) out there,” said UD coach Martin Ingelsby. “It’s beautiful to see 80 up on the board.”

Clearly, getting Nelson, Jr. back and playing well was big for the Hens. He’s the team’s leading scorer at 19 points per game.

“He was great,” said Delaware coach Martin Ingelsby. “He’d been practicing a little bit. Obviously he’s a big part of what we do. Not having him the last couple games has hurt us.”

About the only negative for the Hens was losing Ebby Asamoha to a sprained left ankle midway through the first half. Ingelsby said the injury didn’t look too serious on Thursday.

Besides Nelson, Jr., the Hens got double-digit scoring from Jyare Davis (14), L.J. Owens (13) and Christian Ray (13). Delaware also had 15 assists as a team, led by Ray with four.

All things considered, it was a good night for Delaware, which is in the middle of playing four games in eight days.

“We talked about being more connected and picking each other up,” said Nelson, Jr. “Just to get back in the win column, it feels good. I think this team is ready to go on a big run.”

End of an era

Mike Brey’s announcement on Thursday, that he’s stepping down at the end of the season after 23 years as Notre Dame’s coach, was felt at the Carpenter Center.

Not only did Brey first make a name for himself as a head coach in this building but Ingelsby is his former player and protege.

“I am forever grateful to Mike Brey for everything that he has done for me as a basketball player and as a coach,” said Ingelsby. “It’s bittersweet to see one of the best in college basketball call it a career. He’s my mentor, he’s my coach and, most importantly, he’s a great friend to me.”

Of course, given his background, Ingelsby is already being mentioned as a possible replacement for Brey. He deflected questions about the situation, though.

“My mindset is going back to the office right now and preparing for Drexel,” said Ingelsby. “That is my sole focus right now.

“Obviously I went to school there and my wife went to school there. It’s an unbelievably special place. But, I always told him, I would never want to be the guy that replaced Mike Brey. You want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaced Mike Brey.”

Extra points

Nelson, Jr. played only 21 minutes as he worked back into playing again. ... Marco Arletti had three more blocks on Thursday, giving him 11 in the last four games. ... Guard Johnny McCoy was sidelined again on Thursday after injuring his ankle again on Wednesday. Ingelsby said he’s not sure when he’ll return. ... Delaware freshman Houston Emory got to take the floor against his father’s alma mater. Andrew Emory, the former Milford High standout, played for the Tribe. ... The Hens next play on Saturday at Drexel at 2 p.m.

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