Carr helps drive Blue Hens to basketball win over LIU

On a night Delaware showed the scoring balance that is among its better qualities, one Blue Hen helped tip the scales in his team’s direction by demonstrating his all-around ability.

Andrew Carr spent much of the first half in low-post skirmishes with LIU’s Isaac Kante, the Hofstra transfer with whom Delaware was quite familiar.

With teammate Dylan Painter back on the floor after first-half foul trouble, the 6-foot-10 Carr played a key role in Delaware repelling a second-half LIU rally in a 75-67 nonconference basketball win at the Carpenter Center.

Delaware, playing its fifth game in nine nights, improved to 5-3 going into Thursday’s visit to Delaware State.

BOX SCORE: Delaware 75, LIU 67

Carr’s 18 points led the Blue Hens and he also had four steals and three rebounds.

“He’s a guy who’s been on my mind to continue to get more opportunities for on the offensive end,” Delaware coach Martin Ingeklsby said of Carr, “because you see he’s very efficient.

"He can step out and shoot it. He can post little guards. We’re still trying to figure out Dylan and Andrew and where to be when they’re playing off of each other. But that was a great night for his confidence.”

Every other starter also scored in double figures – Kevin Anderson (13), Jameer Nelson Jr. (12), Ryan Allen (11) and Painter (11). Painter, Nelson and Jyare Davis had six rebounds each for Delaware.

“We know we’re at our best when we share the ball,” said Carr, the graduate of nearby West Chester East High.

Carr said his practice battles with Painter helped prepare him to cope with the 6-7, 240-pound Kante, who started his career at Georgia.

“It was a good test for me and I feel really confident in my ability to step to the five and be able to show that physicality and be able to limit their effectiveness,” Carr said. “I think Dylan definitely prepared me very well and I was really excited and willing to play in that role.”

He and Painter then teamed up in the second half after LIU rallied to tie the game, each showing their inside/outside versatility.

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“We worked really hard together coming into the summer and we do a really good job of playing off each other and knowing where our strength points are on the court,” Carr said.

Kante had 17 points and nine rebounds for LIU but it was the shooting of Tyrne Flowers and Alex Rivera that sparked a second-half LIU comeback. LIU’s only win in a 1-5 season is over Delaware State.

The Blue Hens led by as many as 16 en route to a 45-33 halftime lead. That advantage grew to 48-33 before LIU, playing at a fast pace, stormed back.

The visitors scored 12 of 15 possessions to tie it twice, the second time 57-57 with 9:53 left.

“We’ve got a ways to go on the defensive end,” Ingelsby said.

The Hens’ lead was just 63-62 before Anderson converted on a drive to the basket and Carr scored on three straight possessions, including a dunk off Painter’s feed, a fast-break lay-up and another dunk. That 8-0 run gave Delaware the edge it needed to close out the win.

“Even though you get up with a lead you gotta stay connected as a team,” said Nelson, whose drive for a dunk with 8:02 left gave Delaware the lead for good. “ . . . Whether we’re down by a lot or up by a lot, we just gotta keep our heads.”

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Carr helps drive Blue Hens to basketball win over LIU