Game Notes

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team plays perhaps its most anticipated game of the season, a Homecoming date against their biggest rivals, Delaware State. UMES (14-12, 7-4) will host the Hornets and a packed crowd for the Valentine's Day matchup at W.P. Hytche Athletic Center in Princess Anne, Md.

UMES comes into the rivalry game with major momentum stemming from an impressive road victory over the second-place Norfolk State Spartans. The Hawks stunned the Spartans, 82-64, on Monday night by dominating play in the second half, ripping off a 19-2 run at one point. Devin Martin (Baltimore, Md.) played a strong game with 25 points, his best effort since returning from a two-week absence due to a minor injury. Mike Myers (Camden, N.J.) went head-to-head with one of the league's best big men in RaShid Gaston, and Myers rose to the occasion with a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Myers will have his hands full once again in perhaps the best individual matchup of the season. Saturday's game will feature Myers, a bruising forward who outmuscles anyone in his path, against the best defensive center in the MEAC, Delaware State's Kendall Gray. Myers averages 15.6 points per game, sixth in the league, and he especially makes his hay from the free throw line where he takes nearly nine foul shots per contest. Meanwhile, Gray is the nation's leading rebounder at 12.7 boards per game, and the senior ranks in the top 20 nationally in blocks at 2.9 per game. The Hornets' center has won MEAC Defensive Player of the Week eight times this season, and Myers and Gray have each received MEAC Player of the Week once.

The perimeter will feature equally important matchups, if slightly less marquee ones than Myers vs. Gray. In his return from injury, Martin has been quickly regained his scoring touch, proving his critical role in adding a dynamic element to the Hawks' offense. Martin has scored 38 points in two games back, including 25 at Norfolk State, two shy of his career-high. Meanwhile, Devon Walker (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Ryan Andino (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) rank first and second respectively in terms of 3-point shooting in the conference. Walker nails 42.1% of his long range attempts, while Andino is right behind at 40.8%. Delaware State will rely on guard Amere May, the league's second-leading scorer at 18.3 points per game, and shooter Tyshawn Bell, who averages a 38.1% clip from deep. May played in the CIAA last year at St. Augustine's, where he played against Bobby Collins' squad at Winston-Salem State, before transferring back to Delaware State.

The Hawks reignite their rivalry against Delaware State, one of two meetings against the Hornets in the next two weeks. The two schools split last year's season series, with each home team coming out on top. UMES won the regular season finale, 84-70 at W.P. Hytche Athletic Center on March 6. On Senior Night, Troy Snyder scored 30 points in that game to lead the way. In a tightly contested rivalry, Delaware State holds the all-time edge, 53-48.

This year, Delaware State and UMES have both taken major steps up the conference standings as league contenders. The Hawks have already won 14 games this year, the most for the program since 1993-94. Meanwhile, Delaware State has already surpassed their win total from a year ago in their first full season under head coach Keith Walker. The Hornets are currently 11-13, 5-4 in MEAC play, in fifth place, a full game behind UMES who occupy third place.

Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, following the conclusion of the women's basketball game. Hawks fan can listen live to both games airing on the Hawks Radio Network, powered by SFMSports.net and Fox Sports 960 AM in Salisbury, Md. Doug Newton and Dave Byrd will have the call for the doubleheader at W.P. Hytche Center in Princess Anne, Md.