March 12, 2009

Box Score | Photo Gallery

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md.) had a career-high 24 points in the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's basketball team's quarterfinal win over Morgan State, 70-59, Thursday afternoon. The win is the first in three years for the Lady Hawks at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament and guarantees their first back-to-back winning seasons since 90-91 and 91-92.

"I thought it was a classic battle between UMES and Morgan State," said Head Coach Fred Batchelor. "This was a huge team win. We really had to step our game up today."

Both teams were flawless from the free throw line in the first half shooting combined, a perfect 15-for-15.

The Lady Bears led by as much as 11 in the first half before UMES began to claw back. Morton started the shift in the game by hitting a huge three with 7:42 left in the half. She then stole the ball from Erin Hawkins and returned it for a layup to put the Lady Hawks down by six, 21-15.

"I think we were a little anxious and overwhelmed and that's what took a toll on us," said Morton. "But coach just said stick with it; it's going to come, it's going to fall. I just felt that if we got that one shot, the rim would look bigger."

Hawkins responded by hitting a three and then a layup to put the Lady Bears back up 26-15. Jasmine Speed (McDonough, Ga.) came to life for UMES and hit back-to-back jumpers from the baseline. Morgan would get in a layup before Speed and Morton then hit two long three's to pull the Lady Hawks to within three.

A layup from April McBride (New Rochelle, N.Y.) with 2:24 to go before the break had UMES down 28-27. The Lady Bears would hold their lead until Morton tied the game up for a third time at 33 all with 1:06 in the half. UMES took the lead on foul shots by Tyche' Mozie (Washington, D.C.) but Morgan made a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 12 seconds of the half to take the lead at the break, 37-35.

The Lady Hawks came out on fire in the second half, taking control of the game and pulling ahead by as many as 11 points.

First Team All-Conference player, Corin Adams, who is the Morgan State point leader, was held scoreless for over seven minutes at the start of the second half.

"I think Casey did a great job making Corin Adams work for everything," said Batchelor.

The senior recorded her first points after the break from the free throw line, pulling the Lady Bears to within five. She then hit a layup with 10:25 to play that put Morgan down by one, 52-51. Morgan would go up by four before Morton hit another three. Kanzes Battin (Wilmington, Del.) put UMES up 57-56, by making both of her free throws with 6:08 left in the game.

UMES held Morgan scoreless for almost five minutes as they outscored the Lady Bears 18-3 in the final eight minutes of play.

"This was a team win," said Batchelor. "And every time we step out, we're going to need someone to contribute. It's really a credit to them staying focused, and being ready for the opportunity. I was happy to see that we could pull this through without just one player, but everybody making a contribution."

Morton finished with a game-high 24 points. McBride was the only other Lady Hawk in double digits with 11. Each added six rebounds to the effort.

Stepping up for the Lady Hawks were freshman Amber Cook (Greensboro, N.C.) and Adobi Agbasi (Columbus, Ga.). Cook spent a career-high 39 minutes on the court, grabbing career-highs of nine rebounds and three steals, just missing her first double-double with nine points. She earned her first start in 13 games after Josephine McLane (Centerville, Va.) came down sick early this week.

Coach Batchelor said he "was really pleased with the effort from our young ladies today, particularly Adobi and Amber Cook."

Agbasi said she was trying to play her best defense. She nearly tied her career-high with a game-high five blocks. "I couldn't have it by myself," said Agbasi. "With me playing defense, I also get help."

UMES will face number one seeded North Carolina A&T (NCAT) in the semi-finals tomorrow at noon. They have seen the Lady Aggies twice this season and fallen both times.

"They're a good team, but we're a good team too," added McBride.

NCAT boasts the MEAC Player and Coach of the Year. They come into the game with a 24-6 record, having lost just one conference game all season.

"We're excited about the opportunity," said Batchelor. "We know we're going to have to play a great game to beat them."