In their first home game post-All-Star break, the Delaware Blue Coats beat the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in overtime by a final score of 124-121 on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Chase Fieldhouse. With the win, Delaware improved their record to 9-15 on the season.

After trailing for the majority of the game, Delaware was able to mount a comeback late in the fourth quarter. Down 108-98, Delaware went on a 12-0 run with one basket by Judah Mintz giving them the lead. The Blue Coats were not able to hang on to the lead in regulation, squandering a four-point lead with just 26 seconds left. A three-pointer by Teddy Allen and free throws by Jack McVeigh forced overtime.

In overtime, Rio Grande Valley held a 121-119 lead before a Jarron Cumberland three-pointer and a game-winning fast-break lay-up from Patrick McCaw secured the target score of 124 and gave Delaware the victory. Head coach Mike Longabardi was proud of his team’s resilience to climb back from a deficit and win the game.

“The bottom line is that we’ve been playing a little bit better,” Longabardi said. “I told our guys, until they put an X next to our name we’re still alive. We’re going one game at a time and doing everything that we can. It was a gritty, hard-fought game and a great win.”

Delaware was aided by a stellar performance from Mintz. The rookie poured in 36 points on an efficient 13-15 shooting from the field, not missing a shot until the fourth quarter. Teammate Isaiah Mobley spoke highly of Mintz’s offensive performance.

“He was a monster, he’s been a monster all season,” Mobley said. “He deserves a call-up, I’m proud of him, that’s my little rook. He’s been a dog all season and had big man numbers tonight, he’s been killing it.”  

Cumberland followed up his career-high in points set last game with 25 points tonight, making it three straight games he has eclipsed 25 or more points. Mobley added 15 points of his own and Marcus Bagley had a double-double coming off the bench with 13 points and 10 rebounds. 

Delaware had a tough time containing Rio Grande Valley’s Markquis Nowell. The 5 foot 7 point guard led the Vipers in scoring with 23 points and dished out 11 assists. Longabardi spoke about the unique challenge that Nowell presented.  

“It’s not only that he’s small, that doesn’t matter,” Longabardi said. “He can dribble, pass and shoot. He’s such a threat because you try and take away one thing and he has other things he can do. He’s a handful to stop.”

Delaware was able to limit Nowell and the rest of the Viper offense in the fourth quarter, holding Rio Grande Valley to just nine points during the final 7:36 of regulation. Mobley talked about the ramped-up defensive intensity late game. 

“It was really important, Longo harped on the details of it,” Mobley said. “I think we were able to work together and be on the same page. We got our core in and getting our new guys up to speed. I think we’re all gelling together now.”