Jan. 3, 2007
Box Score
Princess Anne, Md. - Fred Batchelor's Lady Hawks led 2-0 to open the game but never led again until 8:11 to play when a Jelia Abdul-Bassit bucket gave them the 49-48 advantage. Eleven seconds later Norfolk State's Toia Johnson drained a three from the right side to make it a 51-48 NSU lead. After that the Spartans held on using a 10-0 run, sparked by the Johnson trey, to take command and walk away with the 69-59 win.
The win improves NSU (3-9) to 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play and drops the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to 4-9 and 1-1 in the MEAC.
The Hawks had the right idea, going inside early to Kristi Veltkamp who finished with just six points, all coming in the first seven minutes. The problem seemed to be defense as Norfolk State shot it well, draining jumper after jumper, usually capitalizing on a Hawk miss or turnover. UMES finished with 24 miscues in the game. The Spartans had 16.
"I give Norfolk State credit," said Head Coach Fred Batchelor. "They hit the shots they needed to and we didn't, it is as simple as that."
UMES shot just 29 percent for the game and took advantage of their height advantage out boarding the Spartans 50-36. Unfortunately, the Hawks didn't get many put backs on their 23 offensive boards. NSU shot 43 percent for the game.
Candyce Jeter led all scorers with 15 points while Abdul-Bassit had 12. No other UMES player was in double figures as Jasmine Speed and Jeter had eight rebounds each, a game high.
The Spartans had a whopping nine rejections, contributing to the Hawks woeful shooting. Johnson led them in scoring with 15 while Nadege Dareus and Ashley Green had 10 each.
The Lady Hawks hit the road for the weekend making a trip to North Carolina A & T on Saturday and then on to South Carolina State on Monday, January 8.
