Jan. 8, 2005
Box Score
TALLAHASSEE, FL. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Fighting Hawks lost to the Florida A&M (FAMU) Rattlers, 93-68, dropping their eighth game in a row.
UMES (1-10, 0-3 MEAC) played well against FAMU (3-8, 2-2 MEAC) in the first 13 minutes of the game behind several lay-ups from junior Tim Parham (Chicago, Ill/Ellsworth CC). Parham scored the first eight points for the Hawks and kept UMES in the game, helping them cut the Rattler lead to one point at 16:04.
The two teams traded baskets over the next several minutes, with FAMU gaining a slight advantage at 14:32 behind a three point basket by Tony Tate. The trey gave the Rattlers a 10 point lead, but the Hawks were able to cut the lead down to six at 8:45 off of a lay up by Shondale Robinson (Dallas, Texas/Estacado).
A jumper by Michael Harper capped off a 10-2 run by FAMU with five minutes remaining in the half, giving the Rattlers extra momentum going into the break. Good defense and excellent shooting allowed FAMU to go into the locker room with a 20 point advantage, leading the Hawks 48-28.
Parham was the leading scorer for UMES at the half, scoring 13 points in 16 minutes. O.J. Sumpter led the Rattlers, also scoring 13.
The Hawks turned the ball over to start the second half, leading to several easy lay ups by Sumpter and Darius Glover. The FAMU lead grew to 25 before a pair of free throws by Jason McKinnon (Chicago, Ill/Kennedy King CC) ended the run at 16:35.
Senior Jareem Dowling (St. Croix, US Virgin Islands/Cecil CC) hit a jumper at 12:10 to cut the Rattler lead to 15 but that is the closest UMES would get. FAMU pushed their lead to as high as 32 points and ran away with the victory, giving the road weary Hawks their eight straight loss.
UMES was paced by four players in double figures. Freshman Ryan Leak (Jamaica, NY/Bayside) scored a career high 14 points, while Dowling also finished with 14. Parham, who scored all 13 of his points in the first half, added nine rebounds in the loss. McKinnon rounded out the scoring for the Hawks, adding 10 points and five rebounds. Sumpter led all scorers with 19, while Tate finished with 14.
UMES will face Bethune Cookman in their next contest, playing the Wildcats on Monday, January 10. Tip off at the Ocean Center is slated for 7:30pm.
