NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore will play its only road game in a six-game stretch as it faces off with Old Dominion in an afternoon affair Sunday (Dec. 8) at 2 p.m.
"The thing that sticks out to me the most about their team is that they have four kids averaging almost double figures," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "They force 17 turnovers and they are outrebounding their opponents by four, so they are creating 21 extra possessions. I'm not as overly concerned about the rebounding aspect of it as I am about the turnovers adding insult to injury."
Junior guard Victoria Morris leads the team with 12.3 points per game followed by sophomore guard Ajah Wayne (11.9), sophomore forward Amari Young (10.6) and senior guard Taylor Edwards (9.1).
Wayne leads the team in rebounding (7.3), followed by Young (6.7).
Turnovers have been a problem for the Hawks this season as they average 17 a contest, but cut that to just 10 last time out against Richmond.
"I think one of their strengths are their perimeter defenders, so I think that is one of our challenges because our guard play has been one of our weaknesses," Batchelor said. "We'll be working on it so we are not putting the pressure all on one player. That will be difficult because they have multiple players they can put on the ball."
Those forced turnovers could lead right into Old Dominion's strong transition game.
"I think the half-court game, we might be able to do some things because they don't have the extensive perimeter shooting of some of the other team we have faced," Batchelor said.
The Hawks have been shorthanded in the paint for several games due to a number of costly injuries. ODU on the other hand has size from the five to the wings.
"Of their two bigs, the freshman (Marie Reichert) is probably playing the best," Batchelor said. "She is playing 20+ pus minutes and they are splitting time between the freshman and the senior big (Ashley Scott), but the freshman is probably their number one."
Old Dominion is not very big overall, but the wings are in the 5-9 to 5-10 range and that could present a problem for the Hawks' smaller guards.
"They are a big wings team and athletic with that size," Batchelor said. "From a matchup standpoint the size won't be the issue it will be the athleticism. The biggest thing for us is going to be the tempo. We just can't afford to play ODU tempo or it won't end well for us. We need to find a way to control the tempo, which I think dictates all the other things bottom line."
The Monarchs lead the all-time series 3-1. The last time the two teams met was former Hawk standout Ciani Byrom's (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) first career start. The Monarchs won that game at the William P. Hytche Center on Dec. 22, 2015, 69-52.
Following Sunday's game, the Hawks will be off until Dec. 14 when they host Mount St. Mary's at 2 p.m.
