Delaware 90, Hampton 79

Delaware's already-short rotation found plenty of offense from its backcourt as the Blue Hens beat Hampton 90-79 at the Hampton Convocation Center on Sunday.

Without high-scoring guard Devon Saddler, guard Jarvis Threatt had a brilliant all-around game with 27 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and four steals.

Backcourt mate Kyle Anderson hit all six of his 3-point attempts on his way to 24 points as Delaware (1-2) handed Hampton (2-1) its first defeat.

It was not easy for the Blue Hens, who led by 18 points early in the second half before withstanding a furious Pirates rally that cut the deficit to three points with 7 minutes left. But the final 3-pointer by Anderson and a tip-in by forward Marvin King-Davis (eight points, eight rebounds) helped allow Delaware to escape.

Hampton was led by senior forward Du'Vaughn Maxwell, who scored 24 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and blocked four shots. Sophomore guard Deron Powers added 17 points and seven assists, providing scrappy work that paved the way for the comeback.

Saddler, a senior who was suspended last week for an unspecified violation of team rules, will be out for a month, missing seven games. The All-Colonial Athletic Association first-team player averaged 19.9 points last year and had scored 46 points in the Blue Hens' first two games this season.

But Sunday afternoon, Threatt assumed control of the offense. Early in the game the 6-foot-2 junior ignited an 8-0 run with a pair of free throws that tied it. When Anderson hit back-to-back 3-pointers the Blue Hens had an 18-12 lead that they did not relinquish.

Later in the half, freshman forward Barnett Harris scored the first two baskets of his college career to start a 9-0 run which stretched Delaware's advantage to 30-16.

Forward Carl Baptiste added 15 points for the Blue Hens.