Jan. 11, 2005
Box Score
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Lady Hawks defeated the Bethune Cookman Lady Wildcats, 67-55, to win their second consecutive game in as many days.
UMES (4-8, 3-1 MEAC) traded baskets with Bethune Cookman (2-8, 1-3 MEAC) early in the game, with the lead flip flopping between both teams for the duration of the first half.
The Lady Hawks began to pull away with the lead at 5:49, when junior Toni Kennedy (Baltimore, Md/Grayson County College) hit a fast break three pointer. Qiana Cheatham (Baltimore, Md/Milford Mill Academy) and Kristi Veltkamp (Lansing, Mich./Lansing Home School) followed with consecutive baskets to give UMES a six point lead.
A pair of free throws by Cassandra Calcagno cut the Lady Hawk lead to three with two minutes remaining in the half but UMES held on to advantage, taking a four point lead going into the break.
Kennedy led all scorers at the half with 10, while Veltkamp had six. Carla Winston led the Lady Wildcats with six.
The Lady Hawks added pressure in the second half, forcing four early turnovers while also stealing the ball several times. UMES capitalized on five consecutive missed shots by Bethune Cookman, pushing their lead over the Lady Wildcats to 18 at 12:56.
The Lady Wildcats responded, going on a 16-3 run over the next seven minutes to close within five points of the lead. But it wasn't enough, as clutch free throws by Kennedy, Cheatham, and Jamila Griffith (Barbados, West Indies/Tallahassee CC) sealed the win for the Lady Hawks.
Kennedy led all scorers, finishing with a career high 21 points to go along with six rebounds and three steals. Veltkamp shattered her previous career high set at Florida A&M two days ago, tallying 18 points, three rebounds and three steals. Cheatham was strong off of the bench, adding 10 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes.
The Lady Wildcats were led by Winston and Katie Clark, each finishing with 12 points.
UMES will face Hampton in their next contest, playing the Lady Pirates in a road match on Monday, January 17 at 5:30pm.
