Jan. 31, 2004

Box Score

Tallahassee, FL - Florida A&M scored the final five points in a game that was tight throughout, all of them from the foul line, to break a tie score and pull out a 79-74 win over Maryland Eastern Shore Saturday afternoon.

Tee Trotter scored a season-high 36 points to keep the Hawks (3-14, 2-7 MEAC) close throughout, then Aaron Wellington nailed a three-point shot with 1:03 remaining in the second half to tie the score at 74-74. But Demarcus Wilkins hit three free throws, followed by two from Terrence Woods all in the final 33 seconds to give the Rattlers (7-11, 6-3 MEAC) the win.

Wilkins got fouled by Didier Socka with 33.4 seconds on the clock and missed the first free throw, but was able to hit the second to give FAMU a one-point advantage. UMES came back down court with a chance to reclaim the lead, but Wellington's spinning shot in the lane came up well short, and Wilkins was fouled again by Javes Wiggins with 16 seconds left. This time he hit both free throws to put the Rattlers in front 77-74.

The Hawks had one final chance to tie the game, but Trotter had the ball stripped away by Woods as he came into the front court, and Woods was fouled with 4 seconds left. Trotter complained that he had been fouled on the play, but the officials allowed the steal to stand.

The final 33 seconds overshadowed a breath-taking performance by the 5'11 senior guard Trotter, who made seven three-point shots in the game including 6-7 in the first half. Overall he shot 12-21 from the field in 39 minutes, and bested his previous season-high by 10 points.

UMES led by as many as nine points in the first half and then 47-46 at halftime, thanks in large part to hitting 12-21 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes. In addition to Trotter's six three-point makes, Jareem Dowling hit three, while Antoine Joiner and Wellington each had two in the half.

The Hawks went on an 8-0 run midway through the second half to take a 63-57 lead with 9:57 left in the game on a Trotter 15-foot jumper. FAMU responded however with a 9-2 run of their own to go back in front 66-65 with 6:27 left, and the game remained tight the rest of the way.

Woods led the Rattlers with 24 points, 11 of which came from the foul line, while Wilkins added 17 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Center Michael Harper scored 19 for FAMU, who attempted 40 free throws to the Hawks' 13 tries.

UMES returns home for another MEAC contest Monday night against Bethune-Cookman. The game tips off at approximately 7:30 p.m. from the Hytche Center.