Kiarra McElrath Shines as Delaware State Dominates South Carolina State!
MEMORIAL HALL – The Delaware State Hornets put on a show at home Saturday, rolling past South Carolina State with a commanding 77-56 victory. Leading the charge was Kiarra McElrath, who delivered a stellar 20-point, seven-rebound, three-steal performance to propel the Hornets to their first conference win of the season.
McElrath wasn’t the only one making waves—Ericka Huggins posted a dominant double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Najah Lane added 15 points and two steals to round out the Hornets’ offensive firepower.
Hornets Dominate in the Paint & on the Boards
Delaware State flexed its muscle on the glass, outrebounding South Carolina State 40-34, with Huggins leading the way with 15 boards. Their defensive pressure was relentless, forcing 16 turnovers and converting them into 19 points on the other end. McElrath’s three steals helped fuel the Hornets’ aggressive defense.
How It Happened
The game started with Delaware State falling behind 4-2, but a 7-0 run quickly put them in control at 9-4 with 7:54 left in the first quarter. Although South Carolina State fought back, the Hornets closed the quarter with a narrow 18-17 lead, capitalizing on four turnovers for six easy points.
In the second quarter, Delaware State turned up the heat. Holding a 27-21 lead, they ignited an 8-0 run—highlighted by a key basket from Lane—to surge ahead 35-21. By halftime, they extended their cushion to 40-25, forcing five more turnovers and turning them into valuable points.
After the break, Delaware State held firm, maintaining a 55-42 advantage heading into the final frame. They continued to dominate the paint, scoring eight of their 15 third-quarter points inside.
Any hopes of a South Carolina State comeback were crushed in the fourth quarter. The Hornets sealed the win with a 7-0 run, stretching their lead to 64-47 with just under two minutes left. With seven bench points in the final period, Delaware State cruised to the finish line for a convincing victory.
Game Notes
- Ericka Huggins was unstoppable, posting a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
- The Hornets’ defense stifled South Carolina State, holding them to just 31.6% shooting from the field.
- Delaware State never trailed after taking an 18-17 first-quarter lead.
- The Hornets dominated the glass, outrebounding the Bulldogs 40-34.
- Kiarra McElrath led all scorers with 20 points.
What’s Next?
The Hornets are back in action on Monday, February 24th, as they host NCCU at 5:30 p.m. Can they carry this momentum into another big win? Stay tuned!
