(Interstat) — In a tense, back-and-forth affair that required an extra period to decide, the Delaware State Hornets edged the visiting Delaware Blue Hens 75-72 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Memorial Hall.

The game, played before an intimate crowd of 400 in Leipsic, saw both teams finish regulation knotted at 65, setting the stage for a dramatic overtime where the Hornets outscored the Blue Hens 10-7 to secure the victory and improve to 3-7 on the season. Delaware fell to 2-6.

The contest was a statistical paradox of efficiency and miscues. Delaware shot a flawless 13 for 13 from the free-throw line and connected on a higher percentage from three-point range, going 9 of 24 compared to Delaware State’s 6 of 16. Yet, the Hornets’ relentless defensive pressure proved the decisive factor. Delaware State forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 25 points, and dominated in transition with a 22-7 advantage in fastbreak points. The Hornets also dished out 12 assists and recorded 12 steals, doubling Delaware’s output in both categories.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minute of overtime. With Delaware State leading 73-72, Delaware’s Christian Bliss drove for a potential go-ahead layup, but his attempt was blocked by Ademar Santos with 44 seconds remaining. The Hornets secured the rebound and, after working the clock, missed a layup, giving the Blue Hens a final chance with 11 seconds left. Delaware’s Macon Emory missed a three-pointer, and Delaware State’s Ponce James was fouled on the ensuing rebound with one second on the clock. James, who led all scorers with 21 points, calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to three. Delaware’s desperation heave at the buzzer fell short, sealing the Hornets’ win.

James, a guard from Bridgeport, Connecticut, was instrumental throughout, adding six assists and four rebounds to his point total. His backcourt mate, Corey Perkins, provided a steady all-around performance with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Forward Miles Webb recorded a double-double for the Hornets with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Ademar Santos of Stockholm, Sweden, contributed 22 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

Delaware was led by Justyn Fernandez’s 23 points and Christian Bliss’s 16 points and eight rebounds. Macon Emory added 12 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Blue Hens, who were undone by their 18 turnovers despite an efficient offensive rating of 95.8 points per 100 possessions.

The game defied pregame expectations, as Delaware entered as a nine-point favorite with a 74.5 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system. The combined score of 147 also surpassed the over/under line of 140.

The first half ended in a 28-28 deadlock, and the second half mirrored the first, with both teams scoring 37 points. The Hornets built several small leads in regulation, but clutch shooting from Delaware, including a layup by Bliss with 13 seconds left in the second half to tie the game at 65, forced the extra session.

In overtime, Delaware State never trailed, scoring the first four points. Delaware clawed back to within one point on two occasions, the last at 73-72 on Fernandez’s three-pointer with 31 seconds left, but could not complete the comeback.

The Hornets next travel to face Longwood on Dec. 13, while the Blue Hens visit George Washington on Dec. 10.