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PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Entering another early conference test, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women's Basketball Team prevailed to victory over the Savannah State Lady Tigers, 61-50, inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. With the win, the Lady Hawks improved to 6-8 (3-1 MEAC) on the season while Savannah State dropped to 7-9 (2-2 MEAC) overall.

A team effort contributed to the victory as all eight Lady Hawks scored in the game, led by senior guards Jessica Long (Fort Washington, Md.) and Shawnee Sweeney (Chester, Va.). Long had a game-high 14 points, five boards and three assists. For the Virginia-native, she recorded 10 points while shooting 40-percent (2-of-5) from beyond the arc.

Savannah State opened the second half on an 8-0 run to trim UMES' lead, 31-24, but the Lady Hawks responded. After a made jumper by Moengaroa Subritzky (Auckland, New Zealand), Long nailed a three-pointer to push the lead back to double-digits, 36-24. The Lady Tigers made another run as they went on a 12-4 spurt, 40-36, with more than 10 minutes remaining. Over the next four minutes, UMES outscored the Lady Tigers, 9-2, and continued to hit clutch shots in the final six minutes to win, 61-50.

Other notable Hawk performances included Taryana Kelly (North Brunswick, N.J.) posting nine points and a career-high 19 boards, including 13 offensive rebounds. Subritzky racked up nine points, four rebounds and team-high four assists. Fellow newcomer Shauntesha Bryant (Syracuse, N.Y.) made her first collegiate start while collecting eight points and four boards in the win.

Maryland Eastern Shore started the contest on an 8-0 run, capped off by a layup from Taylor Thompson (Chapel Hill, N.C.). Savannah State's Jasmine Norman hit a jumper to end the Lady Tigers' drought, but UMES remained hot. For majority of the half, the Lady Hawks held a double-digit advantage, including an 18-point lead after a long ball from Chalyse Taylor (Louisville, Ken.), 26-8. Savannah State managed to trim the deficit, but Maryland Eastern Shore never let up. UMES scored 11 points on 14 first half turnovers by the Lady Tigers to take a halftime lead, 31-16.

For the Lady Tigers, Norman and Ezinne Kalu each had 13 points before fouling out. Kalu, MEAC Preseason Player of the Year, added four boards and a game-high six steals in the loss.

This Monday (01/19), the Lady Hawks stay home as the South Carolina State Lady Bulldogs come to town. Game-time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

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