Niels Lane spent three basketball seasons going against some of the nation’s top teams in packed arenas while playing an important role as Florida’s defensive stopper.

His move to mid-major Delaware has allowed the 6-foot-5 Lane to grow his game, demonstrate versatile talents and flourish.

Those skills were on display Thursday night at the Carpenter Center, where Lane’s numerous contributions sparked Delaware to a 90-71 win against North Carolina A&T in a Coastal Athletic Association game.

Lane had a career-high 22 points highlighted by four 3-pointers, doubling his season total, and a couple thunderous dunks while also sparking a strong defensive effort.

“It feels amazing,” Lane said, “because this is the type of stuff I did in high school. That’s one of the reasons I came to Delaware was because [coach Martin Ingelsby] told me he was gonna give me the opportunity to expand my game on the offensive end and show what I can really do. He believed in me.”

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Lane blossoms after Florida frustrations

Lane, who starred at Roselle Catholic in New Jersey and had scholarship offers from the likes of Connecticut, Texas and Xavier, played in 49 games with three starts for the Gators. He averaged just 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

“It was definitely frustrating,” Lane said, “especially like year after year just having the same role.”

Teammate Christian Ray played against Lane in high school and knew of his offensive prowess but also called him “the best defender in the CAA.”

“It’s amazing what some confidence and opportunity can do,” Ingelsby said.

Ingelsby knew there was much more there, calling Lane “a big-time addition to our roster” when he transferred last spring. He has certainly lived up to that billing.

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“I think he’s flourished in our system,” Ingelsby said. “He’s getting more confidence shooting the basketball from the 3-point line. He knows he’s got the green light. He’s worked so hard."

Ingelsby had seen plenty of Lane years ago in summer AAU games while recruiting and saw the potential.

“I knew he was gifted,” he said. “I know the athleticism that can make an impact in this league. And how we play and the freedom we give our guys, I knew I could help him become a better basketball player on the offensive end.”

Big night for Ray, others

Jyare Davis also scored 22 points for Delaware and Gerald Drumgoole Jr. had 21 keyed by five 3-pointers.

Ray, the 6-6 post player and sometime point forward, just missed a triple double getting 12 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists.

“I like being versatile in that regard,” Ray said. “It was fun. My teammates helped me out a couple times. But I think we did a good job in the press and that was able to get us a couple buckets.”

Delaware had 22 assists and shot 50.7 percent (34-for-67), making 11 of 25 3-pointers.

Only two previous Blue Hens have notched a triple-double -- Keith Davis (1997) and Ryan Iversen (2002).

“I don’t think I appreciate anybody’s value in our program more than what he does night in and night out,” Ingelsby said of Ray. “He’s an undersized big and he battles 6-8, 6-9 guys and he’s rebounding his butt off.”

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Delaware (12-8 overall, 4-3 CAA) is back home again Saturday for a 2 p.m. matinee against Towson (12-8, 5-2), which handed Drexel its first CAA loss 70-67 Thursday.

Second-year CAA member North Carolina A&T (6-14, 4-3) had its 3-game win streak snapped.

First-year North Carolina A&T coach Monte Ross, who was Delaware coach from 2006-16, received an enthusiastic ovation during pregame introduction. A “welcome back” photo appeared on the video screen showing Ross celebrating his 2014 UD team’s CAA title.

His Aggies were overmatched, however.

CAA player of the week Landon Glasper, the sophomore guard who’d averaged 28.7 points the last three games, was 2-for-10 shooting while the Aggies scored just 22 halftime points, though he did finish with 22 himself.

“If we’re gonna make a run in this thing, we’ve gotta be able to win these games,” Ingelsby said.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Niels Lane, Delaware Blue Hens down North Carolina A&T in basketball