Box Score

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team fell behind early to Saint Francis University, but the Hawks fought all the way back to tie the game in the final minutes. However, the Red Flash persevered in the later stages, spoiling the comeback bid with a 57-53 final score. With the last minute defeat, the Hawks fall to 1-4 on the season.

The game opened with a slow start from both teams, as neither could break through the opposing defense. The first basket did not come until three minutes into the ballgame. Saint Francis scored the first seven points, followed by a 6-0 run from UMES. The Red Flash maintained some distance before halftime, taking a 31-26 lead into intermission thanks to six three pointers to the Hawks' one.

UMES battled back in the second half, cutting the deficit to one point at multiple points. The Hawks finally tied the game on a three-pointer by Isaac Smith III with 2:21 remaining. UMES took back possession after a steal and heads up play by Dominique Elliott to call timeout, giving the Hawks a chance to take their first lead. Instead, Devin Martin's floater was blocked and Devon Walker's heave at the end of the shot clock missed.

­­On the other end of the floor, Greg Brown finished through contact for a bucket and foul to take a 54-51 lead for Saint Francis with 47 seconds left. Mike Myers hit two free throws to cut the lead down to one point with 27 seconds to go. The Hawks put on a full-court pressure, which seemingly bottled up the Red Flash in the backcourt. Eventually, a foul was whistled with 12.8 seconds to go, while the Hawks' coaching staff pleaded for a ten-second violation.

Still, the Hawks had another chance down two with the ball, but Isaac Smith's three-point caromed off the back rim. Malik Harmon sealed the game for Saint Francis with a rebound and two made free throws. The Red Flash were led by 19 points and 10 rebounds from Earl Brown. Mike Myers topped the Hawks with 10 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

Both offenses were very efficient, hitting over 40% of their shots from the floor. The Hawks continued their improvement in free throw shooting, going 9-of-10 on Saturday afternoon. UMES used the full-court pressure to much advantage, creating 11 steals and scoring 19 points off Red Flash turnovers.

UMES will now travel to Toledo, Ohio to play a pair of games in association with the 2014 Progressive Legends Classic. On Monday, the Hawks will face the Detroit Titans with tip-off at 4:30 p.m. and then UMES will square off against either Toledo or Bucknell on Tuesday with the game time dependent on the result of their first contest.