FARMVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — Delaware State earned a narrow 81-76 road victory over Longwood on Saturday at Willet Hall, overcoming a significant pregame projection that favored the Lancers. The Hornets, led by Ademar Santos’ 17 points, secured the win with a strong second half after leading 34-32 at halftime. Elijah Tucker scored 20 points for Longwood, and Johan Nziemi added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The upset improved Delaware State to 4-7, while Longwood fell to an even 6-6. An announced crowd of 1,294 watched as the Hornets’ trio of Santos, Corey Perkins and Camian Shell each scored 17 points to seal the win.

FARMVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — In a game defined by precision and pressure, the Delaware State Hornets delivered a masterclass in efficient offense and disruptive defense to secure an 81-76 road victory over the Longwood Lancers on Saturday afternoon at Willett Hall. The Hornets, who entered as significant underdogs, defied a pregame projection that gave them only a 16% chance to win by executing a near-flawless game plan. They shot a blistering 56% from the field and an even more remarkable 66.7% from three-point range, connecting on 8 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc. That sharp shooting, combined with a defense that forced 15 Longwood turnovers and recorded 11 steals, proved the difference. Delaware State established control early, using a 13-2 run midway through the first half to build a lead it would never fully relinquish. The Hornets took a 34-32 advantage into halftime and then withstood every Longwood push in the second half. Each time the Lancers drew close, Delaware State answered with a critical basket, often from deep, to maintain a cushion. The most pivotal sequence came with just over four minutes remaining and Delaware State clinging to a 60-58 lead. Longwood’s Elijah Tucker, who was a force inside all afternoon, stole the ball and threw down a dunk to tie the game at 62, sending the home crowd of 1,294 into a frenzy. The Hornets, however, displayed immediate poise. Out of a timeout, they worked the ball to Camian Shell, who was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to regain the lead. On the ensuing possession, the Delaware State defense tightened, leading to a missed three-pointer by Longwood. The Hornets then executed offensively, with Corey Perkins finding Ademar Santos for a clutch three-pointer that pushed the lead back to five points with 3:35 to play. That quick five-point response in a 35-second span effectively halted Longwood’s momentum for good. Santos, a junior from Stockholm, Sweden, was the catalyst for Delaware State. He led a balanced Hornets attack with 17 points, including three critical three-pointers, and added three rebounds, an assist, a block, and a game-high four steals in 31 minutes. His all-around performance anchored the Hornets on both ends. He was complemented by backcourt mates Perkins and Shell, who each also scored 17 points. Perkins added five assists, while Shell hit three three-pointers. Point guard Ponce James orchestrated the offense with 13 points and a game-high six assists. Longwood was led by the interior dominance of Elijah Tucker, who scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Johan Nziemi recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaylen Benard provided a second-half spark off the bench with 15 points. The Lancers shot a respectable 49% from the field but were undone by a 6-for-24 performance from three-point range and their ball-handling issues, which led to a stark 11-5 disadvantage in assists. Delaware State’s offensive efficiency was historic in context. The Hornets scored 81 points on just 66 possessions, an elite offensive rating of 123.0. They achieved this by taking care of the ball, committing only eight turnovers, and maximizing their opportunities with their exceptional shooting. The victory improved Delaware State’s record to 4-7, while Longwood fell to an even 6-6. The Hornets will look to build on this performance when they travel to face Saint Joseph’s on Thursday. Longwood aims to rebound on the road at Wake Forest on Wednesday. The game’s total points, 157, sailed over the pregame over/under line of 143, a direct result of Delaware State’s offensive outburst. The Hornets, installed as 10.5-point underdogs, covered the spread with ease, securing a win that was as statistically impressive as it was unexpected.

FARMVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — The Longwood Lancers, seeking to move above .500, will host the Delaware State Hornets in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup on Saturday at Willet Hall. Longwood (6-5) enters on a two-game winning streak, including an 84-80 road victory at Morgan State last Saturday. The Lancers’ offense has shown potency, averaging 86 points over those two wins. Guard Jacoi Hutchinson has been a consistent contributor, scoring in double figures in eight consecutive games. He is averaging 14.1 points and 3.4 assists per game this season. Delaware State (3-7) is coming off its most impressive win of the season, a 75-72 overtime triumph over in-state rival Delaware. The Hornets were led in that game by a standout performance from guard Ponce James, who played all 45 minutes and finished with 21 points, four rebounds and six assists. James has been the engine for Delaware State, averaging 16.2 points and 4.8 assists over his last five contests. The game represents a final tune-up for both teams before challenging road tests next week. Longwood will visit Wake Forest on Dec. 17, while Delaware State travels to Saint Joseph’s on Dec. 18. For the Hornets, containing Hutchinson and limiting second-chance opportunities will be critical as they look to build momentum from their overtime win. The Lancers will aim to leverage their home court advantage and more efficient offense to handle a Delaware State team that has struggled on the road, with all three of its wins coming at home. Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon in Farmville.