Men’s Basketball Shows Great Promise in Exhibition Loss at Division I Delaware

11/8/2023 12:00:00 AM

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Goldey-Beacom unofficially opened its 2023-24 season with an exhibition matchup at Division I Delaware, doing its best against a formidable lineup in a 101-68 loss at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, DE.

The Lightning in the early stages showed no intimidation in driving against the noticeable size the Blue Hens presented. This led to the visitors only being in a 17-11 hole over the first seven minutes, keyed by five points from senior Damani Thomas (Kingston, NY).

The contest marked the return of senior Nazim Derry (Atlantic City, NJ), the first team All-Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference pick from 2022 who looks to regain his stature as one of the area's most dynamic players. His 3-pointer with 9:46 left in the half got the Lightning within 26-20.

But Delaware showed its mettle by pouring in the next nine points to open a 35-20 cushion with 7:33 to go. Four different players scored in that run, capped by Gerald Drumgoole Jr.'s old-fashioned three-point play.

Derry remained his explosive self, closing the opening half with 12 points that included a pair of 3-pointers over 19 minutes. Sophomore Zayon Marsh (Maplewood, NJ) netted 11 points.

Kobe Jerome scored 12 points in the half on a quartet of 3-pointers with Jalun Trent and Christian Ray adding 10 points apiece for the Blue Hens, who shot 66 percent (23-of-35) from the field to gain a 52-34 lead at intermission.

Delaware continued its burst into the second half, using a 17-4 run over six minutes to gain a 69-40 cushion with 13:51 to play. Ray and Niels Lane netted four points apiece.

Marsh ended with 18 points, Derry poured in 14 and freshman Zakari McQueen (Chester, VA) added 14 on 6-of-8 shooting for the Lightning.

Jerome led seven Blue Hens in double figures with 18 points, going 6-of-6 from 3-point range. Ray scored 15 points, Tyler Houser netted 14, Drumgoole Jr. and Trent poured in 12 apiece, Cavan Reilly put home 11 and Lane added 10.

Delaware for the contest shot 58 percent (43-of-74) from the field and 10-of-20 from 3-point range.

Goldey-Beacom sees high expectations not only from within, but others in the CACC. The Lightning were chosen to end second in the league's South Division based on a vote of the league's coaches and have made the conference tournament five of the last six seasons, averaging over 15 wins each of those campaigns.

GBC opens the season for real on Friday against Roberts Wesleyan in a neutral-site contest, beginning at 5:00 pm in Amherst, NY.

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