Blue Coats Struggle as Osceola Secures 113-104 Victory
February 3, 2025
WILMINGTON, Del. — Feb. 2, 2025 – The Delaware Blue Coats’ offensive woes proved costly Sunday afternoon, as they fell to the Osceola Magic, 113-104, at Chase Fieldhouse. Despite a late push, Delaware was unable to overcome early shooting struggles, dropping to 6-10 on the season.
Osceola (7-6) wasted no time asserting control, jumping out to an 11-3 lead within the first four minutes. The Blue Coats labored to find rhythm, shooting just 38.5 percent in the opening quarter and 36.8 percent for the game.
“You have to give them credit, they defended us well,” Blue Coats head coach Mike Longabardi said. “We just have to shoot better. That’s really as plain and simple as it can be.”
Edited by Saquan Stimpson. Submitted photo Delaware blue coats.
Delaware showed resilience before halftime. Trailing by nine with under three minutes to go in the second quarter, the Blue Coats rode a 15-6 surge sparked by Jeff Dowtin Jr., who shook off a slow start to score 11 points in the final two minutes of the half. The run sent the teams into the locker room tied at 56.
Osceola regained momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Delaware by eight behind a decisive 16-9 stretch in the final minutes of the period. The Magic maintained control in the fourth, but the Blue Coats cut the deficit to five with 2:46 remaining. Osceola quickly responded with a 7-3 burst to put the game out of reach.
Dowtin Jr. led Delaware with 21 points on 10-of-24 shooting, while Jarron Cumberland added 19 points. Jaylen Martin chipped in 16 points and seven assists, and the bench duo of Isaiah Mobley (17 points) and Judah Mintz (16 points) provided a needed scoring lift.
Osceola’s Colin Castleton dominated inside, tallying 22 points on an efficient 10-of-12 from the field while grabbing 13 rebounds. Mac McClung, returning to Chase Fieldhouse, finished with 19 points, and Jarrett Culver added 17 points and three steals off the bench.
Delaware will have a chance to even the mini-series on Tuesday when they host Osceola again at 11 a.m. at Chase Fieldhouse.