By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Delaware has two of the top scorers in the CAA.

There’s just too many times when the Blue Hens don’t have anybody else who can put the ball in the net consistently.

And the disparity between Delaware and a high-scoring team like Charleston is pretty obvious right now.

Leading by only two at halftime, the Cougars broke away in the second half to pick up a decisive 84-67 win over the Blue Hens in CAA men’s basketball at the Carpenter Center on Saturday afternoon.

Charleston (10-2 CAA, 22-3 overall), which had been ranked as high as No. 18 in the country a couple weeks ago, started the second half on a 13-2 run to take control for good.

“I think they’re really talented and we’re maybe not the most confident group right now,” said Delaware coach Martin Ingelsby. “That’s what I talked about with our group yesterday — just getting back and having fun.

“I thought we did that for the first 20 minutes but maybe not as much in the second half. We’ve got to stay together and be able to regroup.”

The Hens (4-8 CAA, 12-13 overall) dropped below .500 for the first time since the beginning of December with their second loss in a row. Delaware was coming off a loss at two-win Monmouth on Thursday.

The Hens did get 18 points apiece from its two stars, Jameer Nelson, Jr. and Jyare Davis. But freshman Cavan Reilly (10) was the only other UD player in double figures.

Charleston got 18 from Dalton Bolon but also 12 or more points from three other players. The Cougars also sank 13-of-32 three-pointers compared to 3-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc for the Hens.

With all that in mind, the Hens trailed only 38-36 at halftime after Nelson Jr.’s runner rolled in at the buzzer. The first half featured 11 lead changes and five ties.

But the Hens never pulled even in the second half. While Charleston had an 11-point run, Delaware never scored more than four in a row.

Delaware is still missing senior guard L.J Owens (wrist), who isn’t expected to be back any time soon.

The Hens have too many inconsistent scorers. They need some players to step up.

“We’re searching a little bit for some consistency,” said Ingelsby. “You’ve got some guys who are getting opportunities that are going to continue to get opportunities and have to play well for us.

“We’ve struggled to score well enough to kind of withstand some of this. I think a lot falls on Jameer’s and Jyare’s shoulders to score. And I’ve got to back to the drawing board to try to help us. Who are we right now offensively?”

Free throws

Nelson, Jr. has scored at least 15 points in 14 straight games and in 19 of 21 contests overall ... Nelson, Jr. also had eight assists. ... Christian Ray added eight points and nine rebounds. ... Delaware hosts Drexel on Wednesday at 7 p.m. as it continues a stretch of three straight home games.

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