PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore will be looking to rebound form a tough road loss at Coppin State on Saturday (Feb. 15) when they host two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champions Bethune-Cookman (17-5, 9-1) in a 2 p.m. battle.

"They are playing really well," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "They are champions and they are playing like champions. They have a lot of kids who returned who were a part of the championship run over the last couple of years. That makes them experienced and qualified."

The Wildcats have won nine straight games and are coming off an 88-59 home win against Howard. Senior Ashanti Hunt scored a season high 20 points in that contest to go with seven rebounds two assists three steals and a block on her way to MEAC Player of the Week honors.

Hunt — a graduate student who misses last season with an injury — is averaging 7.9 points and 5.9 rebounds in her fifth year with Bethune.

"They have probably the best defensive player in the league in Hunt," Batchelor said. "She is back and defending as well as she ever did. And she's a woman. She's 23, so she is experienced and mature."

Junior Amaya Scott leads the Wildcats with 12.6 points per game to go with 6.0 rebounds. Daniella Hatcher is adding 11.6 points and 4.2 rebounds.

"They are playing really well and they have to come in here and play as well as they have been playing to beat us," Batchelor said. "I am looking forward to us bouncing back from a very disappointing loss and playing with a sense of urgency that will be required in order for us to compete with a championship level team."