Box Score | Photo Gallery

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - In their first of a three-game home stretch, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women's Basketball Team held on and defeated the Howard Lady Bison, 62-59, inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.

With the victory, UMES moved to .500 (4-4 MEAC) in conference play and 6-14 overall.

Despite 27 giveaways, the Lady Hawks shot a respectable 44-percent (22-of-50) from the floor and outrebounded the opposition by 17 boards, 50-33. Additionally, UMES' bench squad made the difference as they outscored Howard, 22-6.

Ten different Hawks scored, led by senior center Taryana Kelly (North Brunswick, N.J.). Kelly led the way with a team-high 11 points on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting from the field. Freshman guard Ciani Byrom (Winston-Salem, N.C.) added 10 points, six rebounds, and four dimes in the victory.

Moments after intermission, the Lady Hawks extended their lead after a layup from freshman Keyera Eaton (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 35-21. Howard would make a run as they outscored UMES in the period, 20-6, and took the lead into the fourth, 41-39.

Byrom opened the quarter scoring the first five points and put UMES back in front, 44-41, with more than nine left. At the 4:22 mark, both club were deadlocked, 54-54, until the Lady Hawks went on a 6-0 spurt and took the lead with less than a minute to go, 60-54.

Howard's Sydni Johnson connected on a long ball and cut the margin in half, 60-57, but two clutch freebies from freshman guard Ra'Jean Martin (Jacksonville, Fla.) sealed the deal as the Lady Hawk held on to win, 62-59.

Other notable Hawk performances included sophomore forward Shauntesha Bryant (Syracuse, N.Y.) providing a spark off the bench with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting while Eaton chipped in eight points and a career-high eight rebounds in the win.

Both clubs were tied four apiece early in the opening period until the Lady Hawks erupted and went on a 17-2 run to take a double-digit lead after one, 21-6. Senior guard TeAmber Burke (Washington, N.C.) gave UMES their largest advantage of the game after a layup, 23-6. For most of the first half, Maryland Eastern Shore was in control and claimed an 11-point lead into intermission, 29-18.

Forward Alexis Udoji (Randolph, Mass.) eclipsed another milestone as she moved into second on the all-time blocks list, surpassing former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Defensive Player of the Year Kristi Veltkamp. The Massachusetts product has 234 rejections in her career and needs only six to become the program's all-time leader. She ended her night with a season-high eight blocks, six boards, and five points.

For the Lady Bison (3-17, 1-6 MEAC), they were shorthanded as the conference's leading scorer, Victoria Gonzales, was inactive. Despite her absence, the squad played inspired, led by Johnson and Jasmine Hill. Johnson registered a double-double, 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Hill had a career-high 26 points. Imani Bailey netted 14 points in the loss.

This Saturday (Feb. 6), the Lady Hawks welcome reigning MEAC Regular Season Champions Hampton. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m., followed by the men approximately 30 minutes afterward.

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