Feb. 3, 2017 PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore will look to rebound from a heartbreaking 66-65 loss at Hampton on Wednesday night when it hosts Coppin State Saturday (Feb. 4) at 7:30 p.m.
The Hawks (7-16, 4-4 MEAC) led with less than a minute left, but couldn't pull out the win against the Pirates. The Eagles (5-18, 4-4 MEAC) are coming off a 77-65 loss at Hampton and have lost three straight. Both teams are tied with South Carolina St. for sixth in the MEAC standings.
After a 1-14 start to the year in nonconference play, Coppin State won four of its first five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games, including three in a row (Bethune-Cookman, N.C. A&T, Howard) by a combined 14 points.
Senior post player Chas Brown made his season debut on Dec. 30 and has since been a driving force behind the Eagles' early MEAC push. The Baltimore native is averaging 12 points and 5.3 rebounds in nine games, while shooting 50 percent from the field. Brown scored 19 points in CSU's league opener against South Carolina on Jan. 4 and overwhelmed N.C. A&T to the tune of 18 points and 10 rebounds on Jan. 14.
Freshman Dejuan Clayton ranks 24th in the MEAC in points per game (10.8), tied for 11th in steals (1.1), 13th in assists (2.9). Josh Treadwell (9.4) and Tre Thomas (9.1) average very close to double digits as well.
Last season, Devin Martin's three-pointer with 1:19 to go in overtime boosted the Hawks to an 83-81 win at Coppin State. Martin scored half of his 10 points in overtime, while Dontae Caldwell netted a career-high 25 points.
Senior Bakari Copeland (Decatur, Georgia) leads The Shore and ranks fifth in the MEAC with 16.7 points per game, including 20.0 points per game in league play. Copeland has scored in double figures in 20 of 23 games and averages 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He's third in the MEAC in 3-point percentage (42.1).
Ryan Andino (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) averages 13.7 points per game, has hit a league-high 84 three pointers and averages 3.7 per game (2nd MEAC).
Sophomore Isaac Taylor (Wachapreague, Virginia) put up career highs in scoring (15) and rebounding (7) at Hampton where he was effective in the post going to the jump hook early and often.
The Eagles lead the all-time series 56-20.
The game was originally scheduled for 4 p.m., but has been pushed back from to 7:30 p.m. due to a scheduling conflict.
Games can be heard locally on Fox Sports Radio 960 AM WTGM or on www.EasternShoreHawks.com. Will DeBoer and David Byrd will have the call Saturday from The William P. Hytche Athletic Center on The Shore Sports Network.
Season tickets for the 2016-2017 season are on sale now starting at just $125, for all men's and women's home games. Did you know that a purchasing a season ticket helps all sports at Maryland Eastern Shore, not just basketball? To purchase season tickets, click here. For more information about the 1ticKet Drive, log on to the web at easternshorehawks.com or call 410-651-6499. It's time to show your #HawkPride!
