01/25/03

DOVER, DE- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Fighting Hawks (2-14, 2-5 MEAC) had their national television debut tonight as they traveled to Delaware State University (6-9, 4-3 MEAC). The game was carried live on the MBC Network. Unfortunately for the Hawks it ended in defeat by a 56-46 margin.

Tee Trotter led the Hawks with 13 points while Aaron Wellington added ten points and five rebounds. Javes Wiggins led UMES in rebounding with nine while also adding eight points. UMES out rebounded the Hornets 36-32 but could not overcome 18 turnovers, 14 of them coming in the first half. That led to DSU leading 31-25 at the break.

In that first half the score went back and forth until the 2:58 mark when Delaware State took a six point lead on a Tyson Lesesne jumper. They carried that margin to the locker room despite buckets by Wellington and Kenyatta Rowel.

At the start of the second half the Hornets ran the lead to 11 on a lay-in by Prince Parker. UMES then made a run with lay-ins by Wiggins, Rowel, and another by Wiggins. The Hawks go tit to three on a shot form behind the arc by Wellington but would get no closer. DSU then ran off six straight points and eventually pushed their lead back to 11 with just under a minute to go. Carlos Hawkins was a big part of that scoring eight of his 12 points in the second half. A lay-in by Ka'Reem Horton followed by a free throw by James Bowen would end the game at a 56-46 score.

Andre Matthews finished with 15 points while his brother Aaron had five points and ten boards.

UMES will travel to Washington D.C. on Thursday for an 8:00 PM date with the Bison of Howard University.