PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -- Ithiel Horton scored 17 points, Matt Veretto added 16 and Eric Carter posted a double-double as Delaware defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore 71-62 on Friday night.

Horton made four 3-pointers while Carter scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, his second double-double this season for the Blue Hens (6-2), who are off to their best start through eight games since the 1999-2000 team began 9-1. Kevin Anderson added 11 points and six assists with Delaware shooting 52 percent and making 14 of 15 free throws.

The Hawks (1-7) were led by AJ Cheeseman with 16 points before fouling out, Bryan Urrutia with 15 plus six assists and Ryan Andino with 12 points.

Delaware led 29-27 at halftime. The Blue Hens used a 15-6 run with seven points from Veretto to take their largest lead of 62-50 with 4:22 remaining and the Hawks didn't get closer than seven thereafter.