Feb. 7, 2014

Game Notes | Listen Live! |

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team concludes its three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon as the Hawks are set to battle Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe, Coppin State, at 4 p.m. The Hawks are 1-1 in their past two home games, but look to even their home record at 4-4 on the year with a win on Saturday. CSU holds a 57-17 advantage all-time in the series.

The matchup features two of the MEAC's best free-throw shooting teams. CSU (8-14, 5-4 MEAC) leads the MEAC with a 74.0-percent clip, while UMES (3-16, 1-6 MEAC) is sixth at 69.9. The Eagles have won six of the past 10 meetings, but the Hawks are 2-2 against CSU in the last four meetings in Princess Anne, including a win last season. UMES won three in a row against CSU in 2010.

The Hawks look to continue their strong play at home this season, where the men have a +29 scoring advantage in seven games. UMES is 3-4 on the season in Princess Anne. It is the Hawks shooting performance that has been the difference. UMES is shooting nearly 10-percent better at home, as its 45.1-percent clip its much better than on the road (35.3).

UMES has gone with a bigger lineup in each of its past three games. The change has brought about more rebounds and more physical play in the paint. Senior Francis Ezeiru (Enugu, Nigeria) has averaged 7.5 ppg and six rebounds in the past two games. He has been complemented by the play of senior Pina Guillaume (N'Djamena, Chad) and freshman Shane Randall (Philadelphia, Pa.), who have played well in the post recently.

Freshman Hakeem Baxter (Philadelphia, Pa.) will continue to run the point efficiently for the Hawks and junior KyRee Jones (Indianapolis, Ind.) will square off against the Eagles at the other guard position. The pair has led the team all season in points, where Jones is averaging a 15.0 clip to Baxter's 14.6. Baxter was recently named MEAC Rookie of the Week for the third time this season and College Sports Madness MEAC Player of the Week. Jones stands among the top in conference in free-throws (87.5-percent) and has scored 10-plus points in 10 of his last 12 games.

Coppin State is allowing the most points (76.2) of any MEAC team per-game this season. Michael Murray is leading the way with 14.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg. He is being closely followed by Sterling Smith, who has 11.9 ppg and 29 steals. The Eagles are allowing opponents to shoot nearly 48-percent from the floor on the season and hold a -4.6 margin in rebounds. CSU is among the MEAC's best in turnovers as the team is averaging just over 12 per-game.

Let's take a look at a few game notes for the matchup:

- LAST TIME OUT: For the second straight game, UMES electrified its home crowd, but the valiant Hawk effort came up just short, as the men fell, 66-62, to NC Central this past Monday. UMES held a one-point lead, 61-60, after two consecutive free-throws by Francis Ezeiru with two minutes left in the game. The Hawk lead held into the next possession but two offensive rebounds, followed by a foul and two made NCC free-throws was the difference

- HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: UMES holds a +29 scoring advantage at home this season and are 3-4 at the W.P. Hytche Center. The team is shooting 45 FG%, 10% higher than away (35.6%). UMES shot 65% from the fl oor in the fi rst-half against NCCU and made atleast five 3ptrs in all but one home game

- TOP FT SHOOTING TEAMS IN MEAC: CSU and UMES stand fi rst and sixth in the MEAC, respectively, in free-throw shooting. The Eagles are shooting a 74.0% clip in a 523 chances, while UMES is shooting 69.9% in 425. KyRee Jones is second in the MEAC with a 87.5% mark

- BAXTER BACKING IT UP: Freshman Hakeem Baxter has been nothing short of brilliant to open his collegiate career. He has been named MEAC Rookie of the Week three times (11/25, 12/9, 2/3) and leads the Hawks in fi ve statistical categories. He was named CSM Player of the Week on Feb. 2

- STREAKY JONES: KyRee Jones recently had two streaks end. He had made 20 consecutive free-throws across a four-game span end against Norfolk State (Jan. 11). He also saw a seven game double digit game point streak end in the game. He has atleast 10 points in nine of his last 12 games

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