Jan. 13, 2003
12/07/2002 - "AGGIES SPOIL TROTTERS' HOMECOMING"
LAS CRUCES, NM- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Fighting Hawks (0-3, 0-0 MEAC) came into Las Cruces looking for a homecoming that would break their short losing streak. The Aggies and Head Coach Lou Henson did not 'welcome' them home with open arms as they defeated the Hawks 81-63.
Trotter used to be the former top assistant coach under Henson and Tee Trotter holds many scoring records in the state and especially at Onate High School in Las Cruces. Tee Trotter had even signed to be an Aggie but left New Mexico State to follow his father to UMES. He once scored 43 points in the Pan-American Center, but not tonight.
Trotter was battling a stomach flu and only managed ten points and two boards in a limited 24 minutes of play. His slack was picked up by freshman Aaron Wellington who dropped 19 points on the Aggies with three three-pointers and three assists. He led all scorers. JUCO transfer Terrance Stafford also got on track recording 14 points and grabbing four boards. Javes Wiggins and Didier Socka each had seven rebounds to lead all players.
James Felder led NMSU with 15 points while four other Aggies were in double figures. The difference in the game was the shooting as New Mexico State shot 52 % from the field to the Hawks 30 %.
The Hawks spotted the Aggies 17 points to open the game and could never recover. They were held scoreless until the 13:51 mark when Tee Trotter nailed a three-pointer.
UMES cut the lead to 15 to open the second half on a made bucket by Wellington. They would get no closer as they would give up a lay-up to James Felder and a dunk to Brandon Mason. After Tee Trotter rattled home a basket Jason Fontenet would make a lay-up and then his twin brother would knock down three-consecutive three pointers to give the Aggies a 60-32 lead. The Hawks never gave up the fight and would wind up cutting it to 18 behind the strong play of Wellington and Stafford.
The Hawks had 19 turnovers but forced 21 and lost the rebounding battle by only three, 38-41. They look to improve on this trip with their next game in Cleveland on Friday.
"Well, we finally made some baskets and still managed to stay with them for the most part. They are a very physical team and used that to open up that huge lead that we could not overcome," said Head Coach Thomas Trotter. "It was nice being back in Las Cruces, I know Tee and I missed it, I wish it could have been with a win, but I think some positives came out of it."
The Hawks hope to show some of those positive things on Friday when they battle Cleveland State on Friday at 8:00 p.m.
