ELON, N.C. — Sports fans love to tell you that defense wins championships.

You’ll get no argument from the Delaware women’s basketball team if that turns out to be true.

A Blue Hen squad that thrives on its defense proved it again on Friday when it silenced fifth-seeded Hofstra, 60-39, in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament semifinals.

The victory puts top-seeded Delaware (21-3) just one win away from going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013. The Hens will face No. 3 Drexel in the CAA title game on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Schar Center.

The Dragons knocked off No. 2 James Madison, 79-76, in overtime in Friday's second semifinal.  The Hens beat Drexel in both their regular-season meetings.

“It means everything,” UD coach Natasha Adair said about playing for the title. “When you look back to how we started — and just under the circumstances in which we started — just to see the growth, the consistency and the growth of this group.

“We talked about this in the summer. We talked about this in September when we got back on the court. ... It’s just been a group effort. Everyone bought in. To see the fruits of their labor turn out the way that they have, for us to be in this position, playing for a championship, it just lets you know that hard work does pay off.”

Against the Pride (8-12), which Delaware beat for the third time this season, the Hens led only 19-15 after the first quarter. But then the Hens allowed the Pride to score just 11 points total over the next two quarters.

By the time the fourth quarter started, Delaware was in control, 45-26. Hofstra, which was playing its third game in three days, shot just 23 percent (13-of-57) for the contest.

The Pride’s 39 points were the fewest scored by a Blue Hens opponent since 2018.

“I was asked, at the start of the tournament, ‘Coach, what will it take?’” said Adair. “And we all say it collectively — defense, rebounding and finish.

“That’s how we talked to our team. We’ve got to get the defensive stops. ... We want to run in transition but everything is predicated on getting stops. That’s all we talked about yesterday coming into this game today.”

The Hens also finished with their usual edge in rebounds — 57-42 — including 25 offensive boards. That was one reason Delaware took 72 shots to 57 for the Pride.

Hofstra also committed 15 turnovers.

Offensively, Jasmine Dickey (13 points, 11 rebounds), Lizzie O’Leary (12 points, 9 rebounds) and Ty Battle (10 points, 14 rebounds) all scored in double figures. Because the Hens had the game under control early, they played all 12 players on their roster.

Giving its starters a little extra rest could pay dividends in today’s championship game. Of course, playing good defense also can be an advantage in a big game.

The last time Delaware was in the CAA finals, in 2013, Elena Delle Donne netted 28 points as the Hens downed Drexel, 59-56.

“That’s one of the staples of our program,” Adair said about UD’s defense. “When you play Delaware, we’re going to guard you.”
“We’ve got one more to get,” said Dickey. “We’ve got to come out with the same intensity, same hustle — all of it — and put everything we’ve got onto the court.”

St. E edges Sanford 47-45 to win girls’ state hoop crown

Senior Naia Pullium converted a three-point play with 23 seconds left to give St. Elizabeth High the lead for good as the top-seeded Vikings rallied to edge No. 3 Sanford, 47-45, in the DIAA girls’ basketball state championship game at Dover on Friday evening.

The state title was the sixth for St. Elizabeth (15-0) but the program’s first since 2013. The Warriors (16-2), who were trying to win their sixth state crown and second in a row, suffered both their losses this year against the Vikings.

Pullium also hit a foul shot with 1:24 remaining to tie the score at 42-42. After St. Elizabeth took its 45-42 lead, Azareya Kilgoe made a free throw with 16 seconds on the clock to get Sanford within 45-43.

The Vikings’ Olivia Lynch answered with two foul shots to push St. E’s advantage to 47-43 before a Kilgoe layup just before the final buzzer accounted for the final score.

College field hockey

Immaculata 3, Wesley 1: Allyson Sweeney tallied the Wolverines’ lone goal in their loss on Friday. Goalie Lauren Berry made seven saves.

College volleyball

Delaware State 3, Howard 0: The Hornets used a balanced attack and 10 service aces to key its MEAC North victory by scores of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-19.

The Hornets recorded their second sweep of the Bison in two days to improve to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the MEAC. DSU has won six of its last seven matches to post it best mark after eight matches since also starting 6-2 in 1989.

Sydney Lewis led the Hornets with eight kills to top all players. Lewis posted a .538 hitting percentage for the match, raising her season mark to .500 (49 kills/8 errors/82 attacks).

Mayah Ngundam and Alondra Maldonado were tied for second on the Hornets with seven kills each. Ngundam posted a .400 hitting percentage and led all players with three blocks.