February 28, 2009
Box Score
BALTIMORE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's basketball team nearly upset Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival Coppin State University (CSU) after scoring 41 points in the second half. The Lady Eagles held on to win their homecoming game 60-56 Saturday afternoon in the Coppin Center.
UMES (13-13, 9-6 MEAC) had their slowest start of the season in the first half, shooting 14 percent from the floor with only four made field goals. Down 27-7 with under seven minutes to play in the half, Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md.) hit a three to break the Lady Hawks five minute slump that saw CSU go on a 14-0 run.
Juniors April McBride (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and Tiffany Reid (Philadelphia, Pa.) came out on fire in the second half. The twosome combined for over half the Lady Hawks points after the break to help UMES close the gap. After two clutch back-to-back jumpers by Jasmine Speed (McDonough, Ga.), McBride made two free throws and Reid hit a three to put UMES within three points with 3:17 on the clock.
CSU's Chanelle Downing fought inside for a layup and Reid responded with a jumper nine seconds later. With 2:48 left in the game, McBride drained two more free throws to put the Lady Hawks down by one, 54-53. She ended the contest a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line.
Downing hit two jumpers on the baseline to extend the Lady Eagles lead to five with 1:28 to play. UMES would get as close as two points,58-56, after Morton made the second of two free throws with 56 seconds on the clock, but CSU (13-13, 11-4 MEAC) held onto their lead to sweep the series.
McBride finished with game-highs of 20 points and nine rebounds. Reid and Morton had 11 and 10 points respectively.
Lady Eagle leading scorers Danielle Anders and Whitney Cunningham tied for the team high 12 points. Anders finished with a team-high seven rebounds.
UMES closes out its regular season at home on March 5 against Delaware State University. Tipoff against the number two team in the MEAC is set for 5:30 p.m. in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
