Feb. 15, 2014

Game Notes | Listen Live |

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The annual Homecoming weekend has arrived and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team will look to dazzle the Hawk faithful as the men take on Howard today at 4 p.m. The contest is the second three-game homestand for UMES this month as the men will play a trio of contests within a five day span. UMES looks to secure its fourth win overall and second in the MEAC in today's Homecoming matchup.

The UMES vs. Howard game will be broadcasted on the campus cable system on 3.2 (digital) and 10 (analog) by HSRN, The Network. UMES fans can also listen to the game on SiriusXM channels 110 and XM channel 197, along with live streaming on www.sfmsports.net. Doug Newton and Dave Byrd will have the call for the Hawks Radio Network.

UMES (3-18, 1-8 MEAC) has been a force at home this year as the men hold a +22 scoring advantage over eight games at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. The Hawks have played excellent basketball over their past five contests, particularly in the first-half, where they have led at intermission in four of those five. Senior Troy Snyder (Chicago, Ill.) is averaging 7.2 rebounds-per-game over the same span.

Junior KyRee Jones (Indianapolis, Ind.) has been UMES' top offensive threat all year and looks to entertain Hawk fans from behind the arc in Saturday's contest. Jones is averaging 15.5 points-per-game and recently dropped a 27 spot on Hampton this past Wednesday. He has had two extensive free-throws made streaks this year at 20 and 13. Freshman Hakeem Baxter (Philadelphia, Pa.) and freshman Shane Randall (Philadelphia, Pa.) each have played well in their rookie seasons and have been anchors in the starting lineups as of late.

Howard (6-19, 4-6 MEAC) enters today's contest as the worst shooting team in the MEAC (37.7-percent). They have won three of their past seven contests, including a 33-point win over UMES a month ago. HU has struggled mightily on the road this season as they are just 1-15 away and have lost their last two road games by a combined 39 points. Freshman James Daniel leads the way with a MEAC-best 20.7 ppg. Daniel is shooting 42-percent from long-range, while Prince Okoroh has 14.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg. Marcel Boyd has 24 steals on the year.

Let's check out a few game notes for today's Homecoming contest:

- LAST TIME OUT: It was all UMES for the first 35 minutes of Monday night's contest at Hampton, but UMES eventually fell in the game, 71-65. UMES led by as many as 11 points in the second, but a 15-1 Hampton push late in the game was the difference. Hakeem Baxter kept UMES in the game with several big shots down the stretch. The margin was brought to one possession twice in the final minute, but HU held on for its eighth MEAC win

- MATCHUP AGAINST HU: The Hawks have lost their last three against the Bison, but have a 5-6 record against HU over the past six years. UMES has lost by a combined 56 points to the Bison in their past three contests, including a 33-point loss to Howard a month ago

- HAWKS PLAYING ON CAMPUS TV: Today's Homecoming game against Howard is set to be broadcasted on campus cable system 3.2 (digital) and 10 (analog) by HSRN, The Network. The men's and women's games can both be heard on SiriusXM channel 110 and XM channel 197. As always the game will stream on www.sfmsports.net with Doug Newton and Dave Byrd on the call

- HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: UMES holds a +22 scoring advantage at home this season with all three wins at the W.P. Hytche Center. The team is shooting 43 FG%, nearly eight points higher than on the road (35.2%). UMES has shot atleast 40% in three of the past four home games

- STREAKY JONES: KyRee Jones recently had three streaks end. He has had streaks of 13 and 20 consecutive free-throws made this season. Jones carried a made streak of 13 in-a-row before he missed against Howard last game. He has atleast 10 points in 12 of his last 14 games