Dec. 1, 2007

Box Score

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Poor second half shooting from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and tenacious defense and game control by Delaware State University (DSU) led the visiting Hornets over their local rival UMES 59-47 in the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest of the year for both teams.

UMES (1-7 0-1 MEAC) was held in check by the DSU (3-4, 1-0 MEAC) tempo and got 14 points from Ed Tyson. No other player was in double figures although Aleksandar Popovic and Marc Davis both added eight points. Just nine Hawks saw action tonight in contrast to the Hornets who played 12 players and got 22 points from Donald Johnson and 13 form Joe Dickens. Johnson had a monstrous game for DSU as he tallied a double double, adding a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Hornets out rebounded the Hawks 59-47 and shot nearly 50 percent for the game (45.5 percent). UMES shot a respectable 31.9 percent but was cold in the second half, shooting just 25.9 percent and connecting on just seven shots.

"Our shooting was horrendous," said Hawks Interim Head Coach Meredith Smith. "We have to make shots; it is as simple as that. They made shots tonight, we didn't."

The Hawks trailed at the break 31-20 and never led in the game. Johnson nailed an opening jumper to start the game and UMES tied it at two with a jumper by Ishmawiyl McFadden. Twenty seconds later Delaware State took the lead for good on a Johnson three-pointer that made it 5-2 with 17:42 remaining in the first half.

The Hawks got as close as seven in the second half on a three-pointer by Josh Bright, which made it 40-33 with 10:55 to play. Delaware State pushed the lead to as many as 20 with just 3:25 to play when, who else, Johnson hit another three pointer.

Donald Johnson would connect on four-of-five three-pointers and eight-of-ten shooting for the Hornets.

UMES now heads to Washington D.C. to play George Washington on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.