Delaware Blue Hens Delaware State Hornets college basketball

L.J. Owens was recruited to play basketball at Delaware twice and went elsewhere.

On their third try, Delaware coaches convinced Owens to come as a graduate transfer this year, and the 6-foot-3 guard’s contributions continued to make a difference Wednesday night.

The Blue Hens had all they could handle in their intra-state duel with Delaware State. The game, Delaware players would say later, had the feel of a conference matchup because of the determination and intensity being put forth.

But Delaware, which trailed by three at halftime and by five with 15½ minutes left, took charge down the stretch for a 77-69 win in front of 2,260.

GAME STATS: Delaware 77, Delaware State 69

The Blue Hens now lead 17-5 in the series.

“We made the plays we needed to win,” said Martin Ingelsby, who won his 100th game as UD coach and received postgame video congratulations from his former Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, who won 99 at Delaware from 1995-2000.

Jameer Nelson Jr., had much to do with that, scoring 26 points and earning game MVP honors while heeding Ingelsby’s halftime charge to lead better from his point-guard spot.

Owens equaled the career-high 21 points he’d scored as a UMBC player, highlighted by 5-for-7 aim on 3-pointers.

“It’s definitely super valuable to have him,” Nelson said of Owens. “I don’t think I’ve known anybody as crafty. He can shoot from any angle, off balance. It’s just great to have a guy like that.”