Kenny Lofton Jr. put on another outstanding performance in Delaware on Friday night. The 76ers two-way player scored a game-high 43 points and pulled down nine boards to lead the way for the Blue Coats.
More importantly, Delaware (14-6) overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to defeat the Grand Rapids Gold (9-12) 130-112 at Chase Fieldhouse.
The win caps a back-to-back sweep for the Coats, who won the first leg against the Gold on Thursday morning.
Lofton Jr., who had 22 points on Thursday night, had 65 combined points in two games against the Gold.
Back to Friday night, Delaware’s Jared Brownridge canned four three-point field goals. The Coats trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half but used a solid defensive effort to claw back into the game, eventually taking a 19-point lead over Grand Rapids.
The third quarter was the big separator for Delaware, who outscored the Gold 42-27 in the frame.
Delaware trailed 35-17 after the first quarter, but they outscored Grand Rapids 113-77 the rest of the way.
According to Blue Coats head coach Mike Longabardi, Delaware played “out of character” early but eventually got it right.
“They played harder than we did to start the game,” Longabardi said. “I thought we played out of character. Then we got back to what we do and the people that do it, and it looked really good.”
Melvin Frazier Jr. netted a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Terquavion Smith (15) and Jarron Cumberland (14) also contributed to a balanced scoring attack.
Delaware had seven players in double figures.
Souley Boum led the Gold with 19 points off the bench. Grand Rapids had six players in double figures.
Delaware gets back at it on Sunday when they host the Motor City Cruise.
