PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball has announced their conference schedule for the 2014-2015 regular season. The Hawks open their MEAC schedule at home against North Carolina Central on December 5, and they finish the season on March 5when Morgan State visits William P. Hytche Center.

The Hawks host a pair of conference games in early December, when both North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T come to town. UMES opens their conference slate against the defending MEAC champion NCCU Eagles on Friday, December 5. The Hawks nearly knocked off NCCU when they squared off at Hytche last season, with the Eagles squeaking out a 66-62 victory. Meanwhile, UMES again welcomes North Carolina A&T on December 8. The Hawks will try to repeat their 67-60 victory over the Aggies from last February.

After a finishing up their non-conference schedule, the Hawks jump back into MEAC action on January 12 with their first road conference game at Morgan State. UMES then hosts Savannah State and South Carolina State on January 17 and 19 respectively.

After beginning the conference season with four home games in their first five contests, UMES will go on the road for an extended period. Five of their next six games are away from Hytche Center, including a trip to Florida to face both Bethune Cookman on January 24 and Florida A&M on January 26. The lone home game sandwiched between road trips is a matchup with the Coppin State Eagles on January 31. UMES then plays at Howard on February 2, before a weekend visit to Hampton and Norfolk State on February 7 and 9.

Homecoming will coincide with Valentine's Day when UMES squares off against rival Delaware State on February 14. The Hawks will host the Howard Bison two days later on February 16 before a road trip to face South Carolina State on February 21. UMES will get a rematch with Delaware State up in Dover on February 28, and then the Hawks finish the regular season at home against Morgan State on March 5.

To celebrate the start of Bobby Collins' tenure at UMES, the Hawks will announce their non-conference schedule by unveiling the matchups individually. Starting on Tuesday, September 23, UMES will reveal one non-conference game each day, leading up to the official start of the 2014-2015 basketball season.

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