NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore takes on Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference No. 1 Norfolk State (11-8, 6-0 MEAC) on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the James Echols Memorial Hall. It marks the No. 3 Hawks' second shot at a team above them in the MEAC standings.

"They are an experienced team with a lot of junior college transfers," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "They have talent, athleticism and size which is the biggest challenge for us. They are coming off of a lot of success last year so they are very confident and probably playing with a little bit of a sense of vengeance after the way their season went last year."

The Spartans were 11-5 in conference play last year, but lost to Savannah State 51-48 on the opening day of the MEAC tournament. NSU returned four starters from last year's team including 6-foot-3 senior Khadedra Croker, who is in her second season with the team after transferring from Virginia Tech. In her short Norfolk State career, she is already third in program history in blocked shots with 123. She led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season. She is averaging 5.2 rebounds per contest to lead the Spartans.
"Rebounding is going to be a big factor in the game, but I think at the end of the day it is going to be about scoring," Batchelor said. "They are No. 1 in scoring defense in the conference and we are scoring about five points more a game than they are giving up. We need to score about 10 more points than that. I think if we can put the ball in the basket, I think it makes it easier for us."

They began this season strong, but were dealt a tough blow in the game against Delaware State when redshirt junior JUCO transfer and leading scorer La'Deja James was lost after the Delaware State contest. Despite the setback they remain in first place in the conference standings and have not lost to a MEAC foe.

"They don't really score the ball that well," Batchelor said. "That is where they have struggled. They lost their leading scorer at the beginning of the year. Losing your leading scorer for any team in this league is going to hurt you and I think the biggest thing for us is going to be able to capitalize on the opportunity to put the ball in the basket and do it consistently for 40 minutes. I think out defense is as good as theirs. It's just a matter of us being able to score more than them and that is basically how you win a basketball game."
Senior point guard Ciani Byrom (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) continues to lead the Hawks in scoring with 16.2 points per game. With 23 points in the win at Bethune-Cookman, she now has 1,033 points and has moved into seventh place on the all-time scoring list passing Kristi Sheldon's 1,028 (1995-99). Next on the list at No. 6, is Phyliss Hendricks with 1,139 (1983-87).

Classmate Keyera Eaton (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is second on the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game.

The Shore can use as many chances to score as possible, so getting on the glass will also be a key. Sophomore Bairesha Gill-Miles (Lexington, Kentucky) leads The Shore in rebounding with 7.2 per game. The Hawks are pulling down 42.1 boards   a game.
"Rebounding to me is always about showing a level of toughness," Bachelor said. "Then limiting the turnovers is the other part of the mental part. Then if you can shoot a high percentage and I think if you can capitalize off those three areas, you have a really good chance of being successful."

Following the game the Hawks will travel to Washington, D.C. for a Monday (Jan. 28) 4 p.m. matchup at Howard.