Nov. 17, 2007
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - There are only two seniors on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women's Basketball team. There are six freshmen. Those two seniors and three of those freshmen stepped up big today, playing together like it has been more than just three games together. In combination they sparked a comeback, down 13, with just a little over six minutes to play in the game and pulled off the 67-60 victory over the Purple Eagles of Niagara University.
In a game that saw no real flow among all the whistles, there were 64 fouls, UMES hung around all day. Less than five minutes into the game they were already 11 down. They led only once in the first half, 3-2 just a minute into the game, and wouldn't lead again until there was under two minutes to play, 57-56.
After Sarah Wilson drained a pair of free throws at the 6:25 mark of the second half UMES seemed all but out. Niagara (2-1) led 52-39, but the maroon and grey never quit. April McBride's free throw cut it to 12 and freshmen Josephine McLane made one of her two free throws to make it an 11 point lead with 6:08 to play. McBride got a jumper to cut it to single digits at the 5:46 mark but Michelle Manfredi would split her free throws to make the lead ten.
Then UMES (2-1) started rolling. Tiffany Reid drained a three pointer to cut it to seven and after one free throw by Manfredi, Casey Morton got a three from the corner to make the lead five with just over four minutes to play. Reid hit a jumper to cut the lead to three at 2:59 and Kristi Veltkamp got an offensive rebound and put back to make it 54-53. Veltkamp was fouled on that play and with 2:28 left in the game she calmly sank her free throw to tie the contest.
Just 25 seconds later Veltkamp would record her fifth foul to become one of five players who would foul out of the contest. UMES would still be alright. Manfredi hit a free throw from that foul to go back up by one but the lead was short lived. Morton would drain another three pointer to make it 57-55. Niagara's Wilson made a free throw to cut it one with 1:59 left. They would get no closer.
UMES would go on a 6-0 run to end the game, clinching the first win for UMES over Niagara in the series history. The Purple Eagles had won the last three match-ups, including one last season.
"I am really pleased with our character and composure," said Head Coach Fred Batchelor. "This was a tough game for us. I am proud of the way we came through, coming from 13 down. This is going to be a big win for us. They are a great program and a great team. I grew up 20 minutes from there so it is nice to get the win for my friends and family back home."
UMES got inspiring play from Reid who had a game high 17 points, 12 coming from the charity stripe. McBride added 16 to go with seven rebounds. Freshmen Casey Morton scored a career high 12 points.
"Kristi Veltkamp and Brittany Adkins were amazing for us today," said Batchelor. "Kristi had eight points, fifth on the team, but she had seven boards and played inspired basketball. She had a great all around game. [Adkins], along with [Veltkamp] both were leaders today, that's what we expect out of our seniors."
Adkins finished with ten points and four boards in 26 minutes.
"Those two seniors had to play well with [Jessica Ayilola] in foul trouble," added Batchelor. "But what is so great is how those two led the team, especially our freshmen. Morton, played well, she made some freshmen mistakes, but we expect that, what matters though is that she finished the game strong. And [McLane] and Talareah Frazier, may not have a lot of ticks on the stat sheet but what those two gave us was amazing, they were both playing significant minutes at the end and that says something about what they showed today," he added.
While UMES put four players in double figures the Purple eagles had three of their own. Wilson had 16 to lead their team while Manfredi and Sara Prybyl both added 11 points. Manfredi, a guard, had a double double with ten rebounds to lead all players on the glass.
Niagara out shot the Lady Hawks from the floor and out rebounded them. Twenty-two turnovers, however, proved the downfall of the Purple Eagles. UMES had their best game to date taking care of the ball, committing just 14 miscues and getting nine steals.
The Lady Hawks are next back in action on Tuesday, when they host the Red Flash of Saint Francis (PA.) at 7:00 p.m. in the Hytche Center.
