Nov. 13, 2013

Game Notes | Listen Live! |

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Fresh off a 40-point victory over Salisbury University on Tuesday night, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team has hit the road for the Midwest to take on the University of Iowa at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. The meeting is the second between the schools in the past five years, where Iowa pinned a 65-48 decision on UMES in 2007. It is the second of three road contests for UMES in the month of November. It will be televised at 6:01 CST on the Big 10 Network (BTN).

UMES (1-1) has come out of the gates strong in each of its first two contests, where the Hawks have shot 54-percent and tallied 81 points so far this year. The team is being led by junior guard KyRee Jones (Indianapolis, Ind.), who is averaging 25 points-per-game. Jones is shooting nearly 50% from long-range this season and has missed just two free throws in 17 attempts.

Following Jones' lead is freshman Hakeem Baxter (Philadelphia, Pa.), who has consecutive double-digit point games and has led the Hawks in rebounding both times. Baxter was selected as the MEAC Preseason Newcomer of the Year by Lindy's Sports in October. The team has also been complimented by the play of junior guard Ishaq Pitt (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and senior Troy Snyder (Chicago, Ill.), who are each averaging 6.5 ppg.

Iowa (2-0) comes into the contest on a roll as they have won two out of conference games to begin the year. The Hawkeyes placed second in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) last season after amassing a record of 25-13. The Hawkeyes have been tough at home during Head Coach Fran McCaffery's three-year tenure, where the team is 40-16 at home since 2010. The mark also includes an 18-2 record in Iowa City last season.

Iowa is being led by junior forward Aaron White, who is averaging 15 ppg and 10.5 rbp. White is spearheading the charge with a 57-percent clip from the field. Senior guard Roy Devyn Marble has posted 23 points so far this season, while senior forwards Zach McCabe and Melsahn Basabe are having solid campaigns to begin the year.

Let's take a look at a few game notes:

- BAXTER HAS YOUR BACK: Freshman Hakeem Baxter has been on a tear to open up his collegiate career. He has scored in double-figures in both of UMES' first two games (16, 15) and led the team in rebounding for both. He is also second on UMES with four assists

- COMING OUT OF THE GATES STRONG: Over their first two games, the Hawks have shot 30-of-56 from the floor in the first half. The 54-percent clip has totaled 81 points and is spearheaded by KyRee Jones, who has 33 points combined through the first period in 2013-14

- SNYDER REPRESENTED IN MEAC POLLS: Junior forward Troy Snyder has been named to two All-MEAC preseason teams in College Sports Madness All-MEAC Second Team and All-MEAC Preseason Third Team

- A BEAUTIFUL TRANSFORMATION: The Hawks have been the benefi ciary of transfers this year as four student-athletes join the squad after spending time at a previous school. Iman Johnson and Issac Smith III headline the group, but Shane Randall and Devon Walker will play important roles for the Hawks as well

- NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Lindy's Sports Annuals released its MEAC Predictions and freshman Hakeem Baxter was selected as MEAC Newcomer of the Year. Baxter is a freshman from Philadelphia and averaged 22.6 ppg at P.E.T. Charter

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visit www.umeshawks.com