Slow Start Proves Costly For Men’s Basketball in Defeat Against Delaware Tech

Chesapeake College's men's basketball returned to Skipjack Arena Saturday afternoon, December 14^th to take on Delaware Technical Community College. The contest marked their first game action since Friday, December 6^th when the Skipjacks hosted Cecil College. The Skipjacks came out slow but were able to climb back in the second half until their comeback attempt ultimately came up short, falling to the Spirit 78-76. The loss marks the second straight for the Skipjacks who now fall to 8-4 overall. Delaware Tech improved to 3-8 with the win.

The Skipjacks entered the game without freshmen Mahzi Thames and Joey Adams due to injury which forced Chesapeake to turn to their other playmakers throughout the game. The Skipjacks were able to jump out to an 8-2 lead over the first three minutes of action before the Spirit team was able to capitalize on a few defensive mistakes which would continue to haunt Chesapeake throughout the game. Trading baskets back and forth, Delaware Tech was able to tie the game at 18 with 9:25 to go in the first half. The Spirit then hit three consecutive three-pointers on the way to closing out the first half on top 44-30. The Skipjacks were led by freshman DJ Barnette with 11 points at the break.

Delaware Tech took their largest lead of the game 50 seconds into the second half when they went up 50-32. Freshman Forward Kevin Hubbard who came off the bench for the Skipjacks, provided a spark for the Chesapeake offense when he connected on a put back layup and then proceeded to block a shot on the ensuing Delaware Tech possession. Hubbard then finished it off by draining a three pointer in the 5 point swing which proved to be the turning point for the Skipjacks who found themselves within reach of Delaware Tech with the score now 58-47 with 14:03 left to play.

The Skipjacks would eventually tie the game at 69 with 6:06 to play after Amir Pettiford made a layup created by a Craig Turner steal. Chesapeake would then regain the lead at 4:49 for the first time since midway through the first half after Jaime Roebuck hit a three to give his team the 72-69 lead. Delaware Tech responded with a 6-0 run to take control of the game.  Moments later with the Skipjacks trailing 76-78, Chesapeake was able to create a turnover to fire off one last shot which came up short to hand the Skipjacks their second straight loss. Chesapeake returns on Monday for their last game of the 2019 portion of their schedule when the Skipjacks host Baltimore City Community College at 7 pm.