Delaware's outstanding run and the Elena Delle Donne era ended at Bridgeport on Saturday as Delaware was defeated 69-62 by Kentucky in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2013 NCAA Tournament.
The numbers of note:
Delaware | Kentucky | |
Possessions | 66 | 64 |
Offensive Efficiency | 94 | 108 |
eFG Percentage | 41 | 46 |
FT Rate | 38 | 31 |
OREB Pct | 49 | 43 |
Turnover Rate | 29 | 17 |
Offensive rebounding edge to Delaware is a mild surprise. Especially given the fact the Blue Hens were looking at an 8-0 offensive rebounding deficit by the first media time out. A point well addressed by Delaware coach Tina Martin.
Defense the difference. There were times Delle Donne needed teammates to step up and a layup here or missed put back there took its toll. The overall perspective could be found in the turnover percentage. Kentucky, with their defense, turned Delaware over 19 times while only committing 11 of those costly errors on their end.
Not a surprise with Delaware getting to the line more frequently. Delle Donne was largely responsible posing a tough matchup problem, especially on penetrations into the paint.
Delle Donne led all scorers with 33 points, taking 23 of her team's 53 (43%) field goal attempts. She was 11 of 23 from the floor, a perfect 11 for 11 from the line while adding 9 rebounds in another superb all around effort.
Jennifer O'Neill led Kentucky with 19 points, hitting 4 of 9 from downtown and coming up with some crucial buckets at opportune junctures. A'dia Mathies had another solid game for the Wildcats adding 16 points.
The efficiencies of the leaders:
| Player | Points | Efficiency | Eff Per Min |
Delle Donne | 33 | 27 | .692 |
O'Neill | 19 | 12 | .375 |
Mathies | 16 | 17 | .567 |
The NBA/WNBA efficiency formula was utilized. Delle Donne, to little surprise, logged 39 minutes showing an excellent per minute rate. O'Neill and Mathies played 32 and 30 respective minutes. Mathies' efficiency numbers were greatly aided by pulling down 9 rebounds, second highest on the team behind Samarie Walker with 11.
Delaware trailed 41-27 at the half. At that point Kentucky enjoyed a 14-6 advantage in points in the paint. The final 20 minutes saw Delaware outscore the Wildcats 22-12, for an overall 28-26 game edge. The establishment of that inside game and limiting the same on Kentucky's end were significant as Delaware made the comeback.
In the end, it was just not enough for the Blue Hens to extend that magical run. They finished up their season at 32-4. For Kentucky, now 30-5, another Elite Eight and fine testimony to the job Matthew Mitchell has done in Lexington.
For more on this game and Kentucky's next opponent - UConn - check out our Bridgeport region storystream.