Season ends for Delle Donne and Blue Hens

The University of Delaware women’s hoop team is ousted from the WNIT in 67-49 opening round loss.

The University of Delaware is still looking for its first ever postseason win in basketball.  The UD women’s hoop team was ousted from the WNIT Thursday night, dropping its opening round match-up with Richmond 67-49 in front of  1,908  fans at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark.

“This was a disappointing way to end the season,” said UD head coach Tina Martin. “Our kids battled hard the whole year, but it seemed like they had the wind taken out of their sails. Richmond was well-rested (10 days off since the Atlantic 10 Tournament), but give them credit. They are a veteran team that shot the ball very well.”

CAA player and rookie of the year Elena Delle Donne, battling flu-like symptoms, played just 13 minutes and scored six points in the first half as Richmond constructed an 18 point lead.   Delle Donne rebounded after the break, playing all 20 minutes of the second half and posting 19 points, but UD could never cut the deficit below 13.  The freshman Wooden national player of the year award candidate finished with a game high 25 points, but just 3 rebounds and one assist.

Caravel Academy product Brittani Shells led Richmond, tallying 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.  The Spiders improved to 20-12 and advance to the second round and a date with Syracuse.

The loss drops the UD women to 0-7 all-time in postseason play.    The Blue Hens are 0-5 in trips to the WNIT.  The UD men’s hoop team is also winless in its 5 trips to the post-season (0-4 in the NCAA tournament and 0-1 in the NIT).

The UD women finish the season with a 21-12 record, their eighth 20 win season in the last 11 years.

“Twenty-one wins for a team as young as ours is a great thing.” said Martin, who returns all but two players from this year’s roster next season.