NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team dropped their second straight conference game on Saturday evening (Jan. 26) as the Norfolk State University Spartans defeated the Hawks 88-60.
Norfolk State was fueled by their hot shooting from the outside as they connected on a school record 18 3-pointers as a team.
"We knew they were a pretty good shooting team and we didn't pay attention to detail," head coach Clifford Reed said. "We have to tighten up and pay attention to the small things so we can play our opponents to their weakness."
The Hawks (3-19, 1-6 MEAC) struggled to get any offense going in the first half as they shot 33 percent in the first 20 minutes. The Spartans made more 3-pointers in the first half, 11, than Maryland Eastern Shore made total field goals, nine, as they carried a 48-27 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, Eastern Shore came out and made a run to close the gap. Guard Ryan Andino (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) made a layup after a steal from sophomore Canaan Bartley (Miami, FL) to close the lead to 61-48 with 12:27 left. NSU responded with their next five shots all coming from three point range and ending the Hawks attempt to come back.
Andino lead the Shore in scoring with 19 points as Bartley chipped in 15. Point guard Bryan Urrutia (Chihuahua, Mexico) continues to be amongst the conference leaders in assists as he finished with eight.
Norfolk State was led by Nic Thomas as he had a game high 26 points including seven long range shots. Mastadi Pitt and Derrik Jamerson each finished with a total of five made field goals with four of those being 3-pointers to finish with 18 and 16 points respectively.
Maryland Eastern Shore will now face Howard University for the second time this season on Monday night (Jan. 28). The Bison shellacked the Hawks in their first meeting 79-39 on Jan. 7. The game will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
"We have to play a lot harder this time around," Reed said. "We have to stay connected to their best players and if we do that we will be fine."
For more information on Eastern Shore Athletics visit http://www.easternshorehawks.com/.
