HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) _ Norman Richardson scored a career-high 27 points and Craig ``Speedy'' Claxton came up with three big plays in a row when Hofstra took the lead for good in an 82-70 victory over Delaware on Sunday, the Flying Dutchmen's ninth straight win.

The game was the official dedication of the $17.5 million Hofstra Arena, and the sellout crowd of 5,124 saw the Flying Dutchmen (16-5, 11-1 America East) win their 22nd consecutive home game, the last six in the new building.

The victory extended Hofstra's lead in the conference to a full game over Maine (10-2) and was just its second in the last nine meetings with Delaware (16-6, 8-4).

Claxton, who finished with 18 points, eight assists and six steals, gave Hofstra a 56-55 lead with 8:23 left when he drove and found Roberto Gittens open for a dunk.

Mike Pegues, who finished with 25 points, gave the Blue Hens the lead back with a move down low, but Claxton against penetrated and dished to Jason Hernandez and his 3-pointer with 7:29 left gave Hofstra the lead for good, 59-57.

Following a missed shot by Delaware, Claxton again drove but this time took it all the way for a layup that made it 61-57.

Pegues made two free throws to make it 61-59, but Richardson took advantage of a box-and-1 defense on Claxton to hit a 3 _ his fifth of the game _ that made it 64-59 with 6:21 left and the Flying Dutchmen started pulling away.

Richardson, who came in with a 15.8 points per game average, had 25 points last season against Northeastern and earlier this season against Hartford.

Pegues, who lead the Blue Hens in scoring at 19.4, scored 25 points for the second straight game and has reached that figure six times this season.

Hernandez and Gittens each had 13 points for Hofstra and Gittens also grabbed 13 rebounds.

Kestutis Marciulionis had 16 points for Delaware and Darryl Pressley added 11.

Both teams shot better than 50 percent from the field. Delaware was 27-for-52 (51.9 percent), while Hofstra was 30-for-57 (52.6 percent).