Darling’s hot 2nd-half rallies Delaware past Northeastern

BOSTON (AP) — Nate Darling scored 28 of his 34 points after halftime, making 3-of-4 free throws in the last 87 seconds, and Delaware, after trailing for nearly 30 minutes, eked past Northeastern 76-74 on Saturday.

Darling was 11-for-19 shooting and made 9-of-11 free throws, all in the second half as Delaware (15-7, 5-4 Colonial Athletic Association) rallied. With Northeastern (11-10, 5-4) holding a 61-46 lead with ten minutes left, Delaware launched a 21-6 run, forcing a 67-67 tie six minutes later. Darling scored 10 points in the surge and the Blue Hens tied three more times — at 69, 71 and 73 — before a Darling free throw put them in front — for the first time since midway through the first half — 74-73 with 1:27 left.

Jordan Roland scored 27 points for the Huskies and Maxime Boursiquot added a career-high 18. Down by one through the final minute, Roland missed twice from 3-point distance and, after a Delaware steal, the Huskies fouled Darling, who made both with two ticks left.

The Blue Hens fouled, sending Tyson Walker to the line with 1.3 seconds on the clock. Walker made the first, deliberately missed the second but Delaware’s Dylan Painter wrapped up the rebound.

Delaware plays Drexel at home next Saturday. Northeastern takes on William & Mary on the road on Thursday.