Feb. 12, 2004
Box Score
Princess Anne, MD - Four Lady Hawks scored in double figures, two had at ten rebounds, and Laconia Hatcher had a double double as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) dominated the Lady Tigers of Savannah State University (6-17) (SSU) in a return non-conference match 86-60. UMES also won the first meeting at Savannah, 65-57.
The Lady Hawks (7-14, 2-10 MEAC) couldn't miss tonight as they shot 56 percent from the floor. They also dominated the inside game out rebounding the Tigers 47-31, blocking 15 shots and outscoring SSU in the paint, 20-18.
Hatcher was strong tonight, scoring 14 points, going six of seven from the charity stripe, recording ten rebounds, five assists, and five blocks. Freshman LaToya Green continued her flaming hot scoring, netting 12 points while Erica Bennett scored 13. And they were not even the Lady Hawk's high scorer. Octavia Thompson dropped a game high 21 points on nine of twelve shooting and Jamila Griffith complemented her on the boards with ten.
UMES started out on top with a jumper by Hatcher for a 2-0 lead but the Tigers tied it just twenty seconds later on a jumper by Caroline Moore. UMES then took the lead right back on a Bennett jumper and wouldn't relinquish it until the13:35 mark when Kermetris Hill drained a three-pointer for the 12-11 lead. That was the only lead they would have. Bennett sank another jumper just 18 seconds later and UMES would not trail again. They pushed the lead to as many as 11 in the first half but solid play from Tiffany Stephens and Moore made it a six point lead at the half, 41-35.
The Hawks poured it on in the second half going on a 22-5 run in the first eleven minutes. The lead was 21, 64-44 at the 9:50 mark as Qiana Cheatham drained a pair of free throws. Savannah State battled back cutting it 10 16 with 3:47 to play on a Hill free throw but the Lady Hawks kept focused and drained a pair of three-pointers at the end of regulation, one by Thompson and the other by Kimberly Martin, to make it a 26 point win, 86-60.
"It was a great win tonight," said Head Coach Surina Dixon. "We played focused, worked hard, and got some outstanding play. It all clicked tonight and we hope that continues," she added.
Moore led Savannah State with 20 points, while Nicole Hunter added ten and Hill dropped 11 of her own.
The Lady Hawks return to MEAC play Saturday at home vs., North Carolina A & T. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm in the Hytche Center.
