Feb. 20, 2010
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PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) won their Homecoming game for the first time since 2002 with a 66-52 win over in-state rival Coppin State University (CSU). With the win, UMES improves to 7-6 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and moves to fourth place in the league.
"This is a big win for our program," said Head Coach Frankie Allen. "We stressed that we hadn't won a Homecoming game in a long time and our guys took it upon themselves to make sure we not only got the win, but made a statement to our fans and alumni that this program is headed in the right direction."
Tyler Hines (Sicklerville, N.J.) had an all-around game for UMES, posting a game-high 13 rebounds while adding nine points, four assists, a block and a steal. Tim Burns (Franklinville, N.J.) led UMES with 12 points while Kevin White (Brooklyn, N.Y.) chipped in 10 points and five assists.
"The team had a total effort tonight. We played well; we passed well and rebounded well. We did a lot of the little things right," said Allen.
The win marks the first on Homecoming for UMES since 2002 when they topped Morgan State 81-67. It also marks a sweep of Coppin State (7-18, 2-10 MEAC), a feat which has not occurred since that same season.
UMES led by as many as 20 with 12:30 to play in the second half. Coppin State mounted a fierce comeback but never cut the lead below six. The Eagles cut the lead in half to 10 on a free throw by Quinston Reggins. He then hit a three-pointer 13 seconds later to make it a seven point game. Reggins was fouled on the play and made the free throw to convert the four-point play and trail 55-49.
The Hawks then went on an 11 point run, getting lay-ups from White and Josh Bright (Salisbury, Md.) both on fast breaks. Mark Robertson (Lakewood, N.J.) nailed a three from the corner at the 3:51 mark to put UMES up 13. Hines got a follow-up lay-in a minute later and Burns nailed a fade-away jumper with just under two minutes left to put UMES up 17. Reggins would score the last bucket, a three, with 1:40 to play, to account for the final 14-point margin.
Coppin State led by three early at the 12:41 mark but a Roland Dunston (Bear, Del.) jumper tied it at nine all with 11:04 to play. A pair of free throws by Bright gave UMES the lead at 10:20 and they never looked back. The game was tied just three times with a pair of lead changes, both early in the first half. UMES led by six at the break, 28-22.
The two teams were evenly matched in many statistical categories. However, the two that mattered most, shooting and rebounding saw a huge edge to the Hawks. The Hawks shot a blistering 51 percent from the floor (36.8 from three) to Coppin's 31 percent. UMES out rebounded the Eagles 42-27, getting 34 on the defensive end.
Sam Coleman led all scorers with 13 points while Branden Doughty led Coppin State on the boards with five. Reggins and Kareem Brown both scored ten for Coppin State.
UMES prepares for their final home game of the season on Monday when they host Morgan State. The Bears topped UMES 91-54 in Baltimore earlier this season and fell to Murray State today in an ESPN Bracket Buster game, 75-66. The game, scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off is senior night and all students and fans are encouraged to wear white shirts for "White-Out Night."
