PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore fell behind Delaware State University 13-0 in Dover back on Feb. 3 and never found their way back in a 72-58 loss. Grasping to find the right mix of player in the lineup, the coaches shook up the starting lineup including starting two players who hadn't had a start all season to that point.
On Saturday, (Feb. 29) the Shore will look for a better results in a Homecoming battle with their Route 13 Rival which will tip off at 2 p.m.
"We had a horrendous start the first time we played them, which really makes it tough to gauge the matchup this time around," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "That's based on the lineup we went with and how we got behind so quickly. I think if we can force them to match our energy for 40 minutes and play some good basketball taking care of the basketball shooting a decent percentage at home I think we can be successful."
The Hawks (5-21, 2-11 MEAC) are on a five-game losing streak since a big road win at Morgan State.
Junior guard Sharajah Collins leads the Hornets (12-14, 8-5) in scoring with 12.6 points per game, but did not play against the Hawks the first time around. Instead it was Lyric Turner (10.6 ppg) who put up a game-high 20 points.
"They are a tough opponent and they pose some real challenges for us with some quickness," Batchelor said. "They are an up and coming program with a bunch of new kids who seen to be playing well together."
Senior Lanayjha Ashe put up 19 points and eight rebounds, while junior Janasia Law had a double-double 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Only Amanda Carney (Old Bridge, New Jersey), with 10 points, reached double digits for the Hawks.
Eastern Shore has evolved a lot in the six games since with freshman Mya Thomas (Chesapeake, Virginia) moving into the starting backcourt alongside sophomore Brooklyn Bailey (Rock Hill, South Carolina).
"I was impressed over the North Carolina road trip with having such a young back court in Mya and Brooklyn and how well they played," Batchelor said. "I thought Adrienne Jones (Baltimore, Maryland) played well as well. We just haven't gotten the type of production we need to get from anyone else. Really, regardless of who has played on the perimeter, it has been our post play where we are getting outplayed.
'Our bigs really need to step up and give us something in order for us to turn it around and be successful."
The Hawks do not have any player averaging double digits in scoring or rebounding for the season and Kenetria Redfern (Cheektowaga, New York) has the team's only double-double. Batchelor's eight bigs are averaging a combined 30.5 points and 17.9 rebounds per game.
"I don't think we have had any real good luck besides our play," Batchelor said. "As we approach the end of the season, I'm hoping somethings will start to turn in our favor as far as free throws attempted and shooting percentages, but at the same time you have got to make that happen. I think the girls will be excited. They are always excited to play at home and it's homecoming which gives us an extra incentive to perform well and that is what we are really banking on."
