NEWARK, Del. (Feb. 14) - A missed lay-up with 1.3 seconds left that could have sent a game into overtime allowed host Delaware to escape with a 68-65 Colonial Athletic Association win over Georgia State before 3,606 on Valentine's Sunday.
Scrappy GSU (13-11, 4-9) had battled back within a basket at the end and had the ball with 9.7 seconds to go for a winning three or a tying two. Point guard Crystal Johnson beat her defender and penetrated the middle, then dished to a teammate for an open lay-up that bounced off the rim. A final foul by GSU and a free throw by UD (16-8, 8-5) with 1.3 seconds left provided the final score.
Danyiell McKeller scored 23 points to go with eight rebounds; Shay Rawls had a personal-best 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Traci Haltiwanger scored 15 points with key treys down the stretch. Angelique Burtts added 10 more points to give the Panthers four players in double digits. Crystal Johnson had a solid game with seven sassists, six rebounds and a pair of steals. UD's six-foot-five star Elena Delle Donne hit 15-of-22, including four treys, for 35 points as Delaware improved to 16-8 and 8-5 in the CAA.
"It was a great play after our final timeout, but it just didn't drop today," Coach Lea Henry said. "Crystal Johnson penetrated, made a good decision and a good pass, but it didn't drop for Shay (Rawls). And, Shay had played so well today and all her previous good plays today had us in position for that final play. Everybody on the floor played tough and hard today and represented themselves and the school well. We had focus and determination and played with energy, but we all wish we could have come away with the win."
Delaware had to shoot 61.9% in the second half to hold off the challenging Panthers and shot 53.8% for the game. The aggressive Panthers got off 71 shots to 52 for Delaware and had a 40-35 rebound advantage over the taller Blue Hens. State had 20 offensive rebounds. The Panthers added nine steals and forced 16 UD turnovers to keep the pressure on.
Georgia State, who led several time in the first half, but trailed by four at the halftime break, made several runs in the second half. When McKeller's jumper made it 51-48, Lauren Carra nailed a three to open it back up.
Later, McKeller followed up a miss and it was 54-52 with 8:57 to play. But, UD's Delle Donne responded with a three from the top of the key to push it back up to five.
State got a trey from Haltiwanger with 49.3 in the game, it was 65-62. But, with everyone in the building and all of Georgia States' defenders knowing Delle Donne was going to get the ball, the six-foot-five freshman went baseline and lofted a soft jumper over three outstretched GSU defenders to make it 67-62.
Haltiwanger nailed another three and it was 67-65 with just 12.5 seconds. The Panthers pressing defense forced a jump ball and gave them a chance for the win or tie at 9.7.
GSU returns to Atlanta to play host to first-place Old Dominion on Thursday at 6 p.m
