Final Stats

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore got out to an early lead against Delaware State University on Saturday evening, and maintained control of the game until the 7:26 mark of the second half.

But it was the Hornets who grabbed control at that point and rode the momentum to a 75-71 victory.

"We knew we had to throw the records out the window in this one," head coach Bobby Collins said. "We knew it was going to be a dog fight and it was going to be a very hostile environment - a great environment. We just didn't bring it tonight. This is obviously a game we are going to look back on and wish we had taken care of business.

The Hawks (8-18, 5-6 MEAC) shot 53 percent form the field in the first half and 33 percent from 3-point land. They won the rebounding battle in the first half and for the game (34-28) but turned the ball over 16 times. The Hawks shot 43 percent (12-of-28) form the field after the half, when they led 36-27.

Both teams shot an identical 48.2 percent (27-of-56), but the Hornets (5-20, 5-5 MEAC) best half was the second and decisive one. Delaware State was 16-for-25 from the field in the second half (64 percent), including 5-of-6 on three-point shots (83.3 percent).

Seventeen of the second-half points came from DeAndre Haywood, who put up a season high 24 in the game.

Dominique Elliott (Savannah, Georgia) led Maryland Eastern Shore with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Ryan Andino (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) scored 12 points off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting from three.

Bakari Copeland (Decatur, Georgia) also finished in double digits with 11 points and four rebounds. Thomas Rivera scored nine points and dished out five assists. Dontae Caldwell (Los Angeles, California) and Derrico Peck (Atlanta, Georgia) had eight points apiece.

Devin Martin (Baltimore, Maryland) missed practice this week following a hard fall at the end of Monday's loss to Norfolk State and was never able to get going finishing 2-of-14 from the field.

"His rhythm was off, but it wasn't that," Collins said. "We have to get defensive stops when it's time to defend. We didn't do a very good job of that today and this is what you get when you don't defend."
UMES pulled to within 70-69 on two free throws by Copeland with 36 seconds remaining. But Kavon Waller hit two free throws on Delaware State's next possession to give the Hornets a three-point lead.

After a follow-up basket by Elliot cut DSU's lead to 72-71, the Hawks employed full-court pressure. But Haywood scored a break-away dunk going back door for the long inbounds pass to give the Hornets a three-point advantage with 19 seconds left.

Maryland Eastern Shore missed two shots on its next possession, and Haywood hit a free throw with 3.5 seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Hornets.

The loss dropped the Hawks to seventh in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings.

The Hawks hit the road again for Howard on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. They return home for a three-game stretch that begins against South Carolina State on Feb. 20, at 4 p.m. All are the second half of a men's and women's doubleheader.

All games can be heard locally on Fox Sports Radio 960 AM WTGM or on www.umeshawks.com. Brendan Gulick will have the call from the road on the Hawks Sports Radio Network.