WILMINGTON, Del. — The Delaware Blue Coats (3-6) fell to the Long Island Nets (4-6), 125-106, on Dec. 5 at Chase Fieldhouse. The Blue Coats initially looked like they were going to steal a win against the Nets, but a rough fourth quarter for the Blue Coats unraveled the game.
Long Island started the fourth quarter on a 30-6 run, turning a 91-88 deficit into a 118-97 lead with 3:30 left in the fourth quarter. The team also didn’t score for a six minute frame in the fourth. A three from Igor Milicic with two minutes left finally broke the Blue Coats’ scoreless streak with two minutes left in the game.
We definitely missed some quality shots in the fourth quarter,'” head coach JP Clark said. “Overall, we need to just guard the ball a little bit better and make them work a little bit harder offensively.”
Long Island’s rookie guard Nolan Traore was the difference-maker. The 19th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft finished with 30 points on 10-of-13 shooting — 18 of them coming before halftime. Nate Williams added 22, and E.J. Liddell finished with a 17 point and 11 rebound double-double.
Delaware played well during the first three quarters. After what was a back and forth stretch to start quarter three, the Coats tied the game up at 69 a piece. That was the most contentious point of the game.
Emoni Bates had a nice game too. He scored 15 of his 19 in the first half and was perfect heading into the break. Kennedy Chandler chipped in 17 points and had seven assists.
MarJon Beauchamp started an 8-0 run for the Coats to give his team the 89-82 lead. Beauchamp returned to the lineup after spending time with team USA for FIBA World Cup Qualifying. He was a spark for the Coats, finishing with 22 points on 7-for-18 shooting.
“MarJon has been great, he’s the ultimate pro,” Clark said. “We were able to hear about his experience over there in Nicaragua. It’s great to see him be as productive as he was over there.”
Beauchamp reflected on his experience with team USA.
“It was a great experience. Great group of staff and I learned a lot.” Beauchamp said. “The comeback to the G-League, [it’s] a little sped up. So I think just slowing down and just letting myself breathe, being aggressive, and keep believing in myself, and trying to make the right reads.”
Emoni Bates had a nice game too. He scored 15 of his 19 in the first half and was perfect heading into the break. Also for Delaware Kennedy Chandler chipped in 17 points and had seven assists.
The Nets were able to retake the lead at, 91-88, to hand the Blue Coats their second straight loss going back to last week.
Delaware returns to action Saturday, Dec. 6, for a second straight matchup with Long Island. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Chase Fieldhouse.
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