Dec. 21, 2002

Box Score

Maurice Sessoms came off the bench to lead four Delaware (4-3) players in double figures with 21 points as the Blue Hens defeated Siena (5-2) 87-78 in a non-conference game played before 5,125 fans at Pepsi Arena Saturday afternoon. Prosper Karangwa led a balanced Siena attack with 21 points in a losing effort.

A total of 14 different players scored in an entertaining first half with 10 lead changes. Karangwa led the Saints with 10 points before the intermission and converted two free throws with eight seconds left to push Siena's advantage to 42-39 at the half. Mike Slattery also scored 10 prior to the break to lead the Blue Hens.

After Siena had extended its lead to five points, Delaware answered with a 7-0 run, capped off by one of Mike Ames' four three pointers, to take a 64-62 lead with just over seven minutes remaining.

The Blue Hens pounded the ball inside to Maurice Sessoms to extend their lead to four, before Karangwa pulled the Saints back to within a single point with a three from the top of the key. That would be as close as Siena would get.

Delaware then looked to the outside and converted consecutive three-pointers to amass a seven point lead with just over three minutes remaining. Reserves Rulon Washington and Ryan Iverson converted the treys for the visitors.

The Saints had some fight left, scoring the game's next four points to close within three. Slattery was then fouled and converted the front end of the one-and-one and the bonus for the Blue Hens. Delaware made good on 24-27 free throws and shot 54% from the field in the second half.

Delaware converted 11 three-pointers on the afternoon compared to just three for Siena. The Saints had eight players score six points or more.

The Saints return to action at Pepsi Arena on Monday evening as they host nationally ranked Xavier at 7 p.m.