Delle Donne and Martin lift UD basketball to new heights

This magical University of Delaware women’s basketball season received more honors as the regular season enters its final week.

Coach Tina Martin was honored for her 300th win before Thursday’s game against George Mason. She was given a bouquet of flowers, which she quickly gave to her star player Elena Delle Donne, along with a game ball for scoring her 2,000th point.

That wasn’t the only honor given to the homegrown Blue Hen. The Wilmington native was named NCAA women’s basketball Academic All-American of the year.

Delle Donne has a 3.6 grade point average. She is a senior this year academically, although on the court she is playing as a Junior.

“Every one knows the kind of outstanding player Elena is by watching her on the court night in and night out,” said Delaware head coach Tina Martin. “But what makes winning an award like this so special is that it shows the kind of person and student she is off the court as well. Her commitment and work ethic to the game of basketball is exceptional, but she works every bit as hard on the academic side and it shows.”

Delle Donne showed what she could do on the court against George Mason Thursday. In the next to  last regular season home game, Delle Donne scored 28 points, 22 of them in the first half of a 71-53 UD women’s basketball win.

Delle Donne averages 28.1 points a game. This game was a big rebound for her 12 point effort in a win against Drexel last weekend.

The win raises the UD women’s basketball record to 25-1. The team’s win streak is now up to 15.  

WHYY videographer Charlie O’Neill was at the game, and prepared some of the highlights.