- Delaware ends five-game slide with crucial CAA Tournament victory
- Erik Timko fuels win with 19 points and 5 rebounds
- Stony Brook's CJ Luster II drops tournament-high 31 points
- Blue Hens dominate first half with 50-34 advantage
The Delaware Blue Hens reignited their postseason hopes with an 80-76 victory over Stony Brook in Friday's Coastal Athletic Association Tournament opener, snapping a five-game losing streak that threatened to derail their season. Erik Timko led a balanced offensive effort with 19 points, including 14 in a first-half explosion that saw Delaware build a commanding 50-34 halftime lead. The win sets up a quarterfinal clash with top-seeded Charleston as the Blue Hens look to replicate last year's CAA Cinderella stories.
Timko's backcourt partner Niels Lane added 16 points on 70% shooting, while Izaiah Pasha contributed 15 points with perfect 4-4 free throw accuracy. Their combined efficiency offset a heroic 31-point performance from Stony Brook's CJ Luster II, the highest individual scoring output in this year's tournament thus far. 'We knew we needed to start fast after our recent struggles,' said Delaware guard Gerald Drummond. 'This win proves we can compete with anyone in the conference.'
The victory highlights a growing trend in college basketball where teams peak during conference tournaments despite mediocre regular seasons. According to NCAA data, 22% of Division I conference tournament champions since 2010 entered the event with sub-.500 records. Delaware's ability to flip the script mirrors 2023's surprise CAA contender Towson, which rode tournament momentum to an NIT berth after finishing seventh in the regular season.
Regional analysts note Delaware's first-half dominance (shooting 58% from the field) created an insurmountable gap against Stony Brook's stagnant defense. The Seawolves' late rally, cutting a 20-point deficit to 4 in the final minute, exposed lingering defensive issues for Delaware that could prove costly against higher-seeded opponents. However, the Blue Hens' 78% free throw shooting (14-18) demonstrated improved clutch performance - a key tournament differentiator per Synergy Sports data showing FT% increases 9% in postseason play.
With Charleston looming next, Delaware must address second-half scoring droughts that nearly squandered their big lead. Historical trends favor the Blue Hens - CAA teams winning first-round games by double digits have advanced to the semifinals 67% of the time since 2015. As the tournament shifts to weekend matchups, this victory keeps alive Delaware's dream of securing their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2022 and potentially rewriting their season narrative.