Dec. 2, 2008

Box Score

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's basketball team dropped their fifth straight match tonight to American University (AU) 66-40 at home in the William P. Hytche Center.

"I think we're off to a rough start," said Head Coach Fred Batchelor. "But it'll get better. I see us getting better."

AU took the early lead going up 13-0 in the first half. Kanzes Battin (Wilmington, Del.), coming off of an All-Tournament performance at the Iona Thanksgiving Classic, put UMES on the board with a jumper in the paint after nearly five minutes of play. The Lady Hawks clawed back to within seven points with 10:09 on the clock when a jumper by AU's Liz Leer started another Eagle run that put AU up by as much as 17 points.

With 1:45 remaining in the half, UMES had worked their way back to only a 10 point deficit. The Lady Hawks nearly held AU scoreless but could not capitalize on three opportunities to put points on the board. The Eagles made two free throws with 35 seconds left in the half to bring the score to 35-23.

Baskets would not fall for the Lady Hawks again in the second half until Adobi Agbasi (Columbus, Ga.) hit four straight shots. UMES would try to pull AU back in, but could not close the gap.

Agbasi led the Lady Hawks, posting a team and career-high nine points with four blocks. Battin and Bria Jackson (Rochester, N.Y.) finished with six points a piece. AU's Leer had the game-high 14 points with Michelle Kirk finishing with 13 respectively.

It has been a tough season for the Lady Hawks so far. UMES is now 0-5 and can't seem to find the spark that had them hitting 60-percent of their shots this time last year. Averaging 45.6 points per game, the Lady Hawks are just two games away from conference play.

Batchelor said, "I believe we can fight through anything because I've seen losses like the ones we're having and those teams end up winning championships."

UMES is back in action on December 4 hosting the University of Delaware Blue Hens at 6 p.m. in the William P. Hytche Center. Check out the action live and on the radio via Timeless Classics WGOP 540 AM. All of the Lady Hawks home games will be broadcast with live video and audio on www.umeshawks.com