Delph leads Eagles past Union

BEREA, Ky. – Asbury’s Adam Delph poured in a career high 36 points as the Eagles overcame an eight point second half deficit to beat Union (Ky.) College 81-76 in the first game of the Wierwille Classic hosted by Berea College. 

Delph kept the Eagles close in the first half, scoring 15 in the first 20 minutes and knocking down 3 threes as the Bulldogs went into intermission with a six point lead.  The Eagles shot 47% in the first half but couldn’t stop Union who shot 44% and pulled down 13 offensive rebounds.

The second half saw Asbury force Union into 32% shooting while Delph continued to lead the offensive attack with 21 second half points including a fall-away 12 footer to put the Eagles ahead for good with 7:44 remaining.  On the night Delph was 14-22 from the floor and 5-7 from beyond the arc, he would make 3-5 free throws and tie for the team-lead with seven rebounds. 

Asbury had two other scorers reach double-figures as Phillip Morrison added 12 and Nate Johnson had 10.  Johnson also led the team with five assists including four in the second half.

Union dominated the Eagles on the boards, pulling down 50 to Asbury’s 35 but the Eagles were more efficient with their possessions.  Asbury finished the game shooting 52% and connecting on 7-19 three point attempts while the Bulldogs shot 38% and struggled from outside, making only two of their 14 attempts from distance.

Delph surpassed his previous career high of 29 points which came on February 4th of this year against Indiana East.  This season Delph is averaging 23.2 points per game and has scored 20 or more in four straight. 

The Eagles will take on Ohio State-Mansfield on Saturday at 2:00 pm on day two of the Wierwille Classic hosted by Berea College.