Delaware was never able to get into an offensive rhythm Friday evening as Elon defeated the Blue Hens, 62-45, at Alumni Gym.

The Phoenix gradually built their lead through the course of the game, but never led by double figures until late in the third quarter. Elon never let up and kept the foot on the gas while going up by as much as 19 with 4:08 remaining in the contest.

Junior Erika Brown and sophomores Sadé Chatman and Makeda Nicholas posted eight points apiece for Delaware (14-13, 9-7 CAA).

Chatman and Nicholas joined freshman Nicole Enabosi in collecting six rebounds apiece.

Senior Courtni Green added seven points, three steals and two assists.

Shay Burnett guided Elon (17-10, 10-6 CAA) with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Essence Baucom notched seven points and five assists.

“It’s a tough loss for us because it’s the end of the season and we are trying to gain momentum,” said UD coach Tina Martin. “We just didn’t play well. We did some silly things, but that all rose out of frustration. We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight and we weren’t able to convert on layups. And when you don’t shoot well, you’re going to struggle. You have to give Elon credit, they did a great job on the glass.”

College baseball

Delaware 7, Virginia Tech 6: The University of Delaware took the lead for good in the sixth inning and added three more runs in the eighth before holding on to defeat Virginia Tech in the opening round of the Old Dominion Tournament Friday afternoon at ODU’s Bud Metheny Field.

After Delaware starting right-hander Ron Marinaccio (2-0) pitched five innings and left with a 4-3 lead, the Blue Hens put three more on the board to go up 7-3 in the eighth thanks to a two-run double from freshman catcher Adam Rapp.

The Hens (3-1), who have now won two straight, had to hold on from there as Virginia Tech (2-3) scored three times in the eighth and had the tying run on second base with two outs in the ninth before UD closer and Dover High product Nick Spadafino got second baseman Matt Dauby to fly out to left field to end the game.

“This was a big win for our guys,” said Delaware head coach Jim Sherman, whose team defeated an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent for the first time since 2012 when UD upended then ACC member Maryland 3-1. “Adam Rapp came up with a big double to drive in two runs and we got some good pitching from Marinaccio, (Kyle) Hinton, and Spadafino. We need to tighten up defensively, but overall this was a big win against an ACC school.”

Delaware made the most of its seven hits and overcame four errors to pick up the win and improve to 3-1 for the first time since the 2013 season.

Virginia Tech scored three times in the eighth to cut the margin to 7-6 before Spadafino came on to get the final out. The Hens’ sophomore closer got two quick outs in the ninth before Virginia Tech put two men on with pinch-runner Logan Bible moving to second on an error. However, Spadafino coaxed a flyout to left field to end the threat and earn his first career save.

High school basketball

Tournament pairings announced: Dover High and Smyrna High each earned first round byes as the field for the DIAA boys’ basketball tournament was announced on Friday afternoon.

St. Thomas More Academy and Caesar Rodney High were the two downstate teams to be awarded byes in the girls’ tournament.

Dover has the third seed and will its second round game next Friday at 7 p.m. against the winner of No. 14 St. Thomas More vs. No. 19 St. Mark’s. Smyrna has the fifth seed and will also play Friday at 7 p.m. against the winner of No. 12 Appoquinimink vs. No. 21 Caravel.

All first round games will take place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Other games involving downstate teams are 9-Milford vs. 24-Howard, 11-Concord vs. 22-Caesar Rodney, 13-Cape Henlopen vs. 20-Newark, 15-Middletown vs. 18-Laurel and 16-St. Andrew’s vs. 17-Woodbridge.

Sanford is seeded first in the boys’ tournament while Ursuline grabbed the top seed for the girls’ tournament.

St. Thomas More has the best seed out of downstate teams on the girls’ side with the fifth seed. The Ravens will play their second round game on Thursday (7 p.m.) against the winner of Tuesday’s 7 p.m. matchup between 12-Dover vs. 21-Lake Forest.

Caesar Rodney is the seven seed and will face one of 10-Howard vs. 23-Mount Pleasant.

Seven more downstate teams made the girls’ tournament including 9-Sussex Central vs. 24-Cape Henlopen, 11-Woodbridge vs. 22-A.I. du Pont, 14-Milford vs. 19-Delmarva Christian and 16-Smyrna vs. 17-Sussex Tech.