Three games in four nights is never easy, but it worked out well for the Delaware Blue Coats (2-1).
Led by Justin Edwards(13/20 FG, 3/5 3-PT FG), who scored 20 points of his game-high 30 points in the second half, Delaware defeated the Long Island Nets (0-1) 122-114 at Chase Fieldhouse on Monday night.
Over the weekend, the Blue Coats split a two-game set against the Windy City Bulls at Chase Fieldhouse and were hoping to end their three-game homestand on a high note.
Unfortunately, Delaware was without their leading scorer, two-way player Jeff Dowtin Jr., who was with the 76ers, and after a slow start, which the Blue Coats trailed the Nets by as many as 10 in the first quarter, you thought maybe the three games and four nights might be taken its toll on the team.
However, Delaware, who trailed by five after one, got a huge contribution from Jarron Cumberland. He scored 16 of his 24 points in the second quarter off the bench, and Delaware took a 64-63 at the break. Cumberland was 6/9 from the field, including 2/4 from deep in the second.
Cumberland took over the second, and Edwards dominated the third as he scored 12 (5/6 FG) of the team’s 30 third-quarter points, and the Blue Coats led 94-91 after three quarters.
The second quarter belonged to Cumberland, the third to Edwards, and the fourth to Judah Mintz.
After three quarters, Mintz shot only 3/12 from the field, but in the fourth, he was 2/4 from the field and 7/7 from the charity stripe; Mintz scored 11 of his 19 points in the quarter and seven of the team’s final nine points. Mintz also ended the night with four steals.
Isaiah Mobley added 19 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks as Delaware had four players in double figures.
For the Nets, Drew Timme led the way with 23 points and 15 rebounds, and former first-round pick Killian Hayes added 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The Blue Coats now get some rest. The team has a couple of days off before heading on the road Thursday night to face the Westchester Knicks.
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