Dec. 31, 2008
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
BALTIMORE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's basketball team closed out the first half of its season on the road tonight with a win over Morgan State University 68-58.
"I was really pleased with how we played down the stretch and our decision making in regards to how we took care of the basketball and controlled the tempo of the game," said Head Coach Fred Batchelor. He now boasts a 9-2 record against the Lady Bears going 5-1 on the road.
UMES (2-6) was down by seven in the first half when Tiffany Reid (Philadelphia, Pa.) drained a 3-point shot with 7:13 on the clock to start a Lady Hawk rally. Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md.) tied the game at 27 on a layup with 2:40 remaining before the break. UMES went into half-time with a two point lead, having outscored Morgan 4-2 in the final 2:30 minutes.
Jasmine Speed (McDonough, Ga.) hit a quick layup to start the second half before Morgan went on a 9-0 run to regain the lead. UMES overcame another seven point deficit to take back the lead on a 3-point shot by Morton with 11:14 on the clock. The game would be tied four more times before the Lady Hawks took the lead 59-57, on a jumper by Speed with 2:25 remaining in the game.
"Jasmine had been struggling with her injury, coming back, and just playing through pain," said Batchelor. "I thought today she showed a lot of character and leadership on the court."
UMES shot 7-for-8 from the free throw line in the final minute of play to seal the victory. Morton, April McBride (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and Reid, were each just two rebounds shy of double-doubles. Morton finished with a team and season high 18 points and career high eight rebounds. McBride netted season-highs of 16 points and eight rebounds. Reid had 12 points and a season-high eight rebounds
Corin Adams, who leads Morgan in points this season, was held scoreless for over 21 minutes. She finished with 14 points, all in the second half, five rebounds and three steals. Theresa Davis had a break out game. She averaged just six points and six rebounds coming into tonight but walked away with a double-double and game-highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Davis shot 5-of-7 from the floor and 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
The Lady Hawks travel next to face Kent State in Kent, Ohio on January 3. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
