Jan. 18, 2010
Daytona Beach, Fl. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's basketball team nearly remained unbeaten in MEAC play, but lost to Bethune Cookman University (BCU) on the final possession, 56-55. The loss snapped a three game win streak.
Junior Casey Morton (Mardela Springs, Md) had a chance to close out the Lady Wildcats in the final seconds, but missed a tough 12 foot jump shot.
"We got the shot we wanted," said head coach Fred Batchelor. "That final play sums up the game: a few more balls bounced (Bethune's) way."
Fans at BCU's Moore Gymnasium were treated to a competitive, back-and-forth second half that provided 12 lead changes and eight ties. The Lady Hawks were ahead for most of the first half, and held a 23-21 halftime lead.
UMES (5-8, 3-1) saw their advantage disappear in the early minutes of the second half after BCU's Demetria Frank knocked down two free throws. Frank was stellar at the line, connecting on 13 of 18 attempts. The Lady Wildcats were active at the stripe, doubling the Lady Hawks in free throw attempts, 30-15.
Bethune would increase their second half lead to as many as eight, 41-33, on a Eunisha Proctor jumper with just over 11 minutes remaining.
UMES would respond over the next four minutes to tie the game at 43 on a field goal from senior April McBride (New Rochelle, NY.). McBride scored 14 of her team-high 16 points in the second half.
"I thought April responded well after we fell behind in the second half," said Batchelor. "We just didn't make enough plays as a team."
Neither side held a lead larger than three points over the final seven minutes. A McBride bucket with just over two minutes remaining briefly put the Lady Hawks ahead, 53-52, before a pair of Frank free throws put BCU out in front for good.
Proctor added two more from the line to stretch Bethune's lead to 56-53, before junior Chena Parker (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) scored in the lane to cut the deficit to one with just 40 seconds to go.
The Lady Hawks forced a Lady Wildcat turnover to set up Morton's potential game winner with just 12 seconds left.
UMES was outrebounded by a count of 38-35, and turned the ball over 23 times.
"We needed a better effort in a number of areas if we expect to win," said Batchelor.
UMES will next be in action on Saturday when they face Coppin State in Baltimore at 2 pm.
