PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore jumped out to an early five-point lead after one quarter at home against William & Mary (3-2) on Tuesday (Nov. 23) night at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
But the Tribe stayed on the heels of the Hawks (2-3) chipping away at the lead until they took their first lead with 24-25 with just over five minutes left in the second quarter. Eastern Shore battled, but saw its last lead of the night (30-29) fade with just under two minutes left in the half.
William & Mary then never looked back going on to a 65-58 victory.
"I thought we let it kind of get away a little bit in the second quarter and the second part of the first quarter when we didn't play even," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "I thought they created a little bit of distance where we had to play better to get back on track and we fought to get back in it, but we just didn't make the plays that we needed to make."
The Tribe held a 40-29 advantage on the glass, but where it really hurt the Hawks was the 18 offensive boards. They scored 17 second-chance points. They also converted 15-of-21 from the free throw line.
"I thought they out grinded us," Batchelor said. "They got the little things — the loose balls, the second-chance rebounds and I thought that really hurt us. You play a team where you need a stop and we'd get the stop, but not close the possession."
The Hawks scored 35 points on 24 William & Mary turnovers and held the Tribe's starting backcourt to 25 points.
"We were more concerned with their perimeter players and I thought we did a good job on them, but their post players did the dirty work inside and either got us in foul trouble or were able to capitalize on opportunities. They gave a great effort on the glass and I don't know if we matched that effort when we needed it most."
Junior forward Bre Bellamy finished with 14 rebounds and 11 points for the Tribe. Freshman Danny Mcteer added nine rebounds and 12 points.
After seeing significant improvement in the weekend matchup against Drexel, the coaching staff was looking for more in this contest, but didn't really find it.
"I think we have just been even," Batchelor said. "I thought we were pretty much the same team. I thought it was the 50/50 plays that made the difference and I think when you are playing outside your league and you are playing up, you have to out tough them — particularly at home. I thought we didn't do that."
Graduate student Bairesha Gill-Miles (Lexington, Kentucky) led The Shore with 14 points and five rebounds. No other Hawk reached double figures. Classmate Angelique Taylor (Wachapreague, Virginia) had her first start of the season and had nine points and seven rebounds.
The Hawks will be off until Sunday (Nov. 28) when they host Division II Millersville University at 2 p.m. The team will not return to practice until Friday evening and many players will be hitting the road to see family over the holiday.
"It would have been great to have won the game, but the most important thing is that we get these young people home to their families during the holiday time and then get them back," Batchelor said. "We just have to get back to work. I didn't expect for us to be playing our best basketball in November, but I think we are learning some of the things that we are going to have to do in order to play our best."
After not going very deep into the bench against William and Mary or Drexel, the coaches will be looking to get some more time for some other players this weekend.
"We have to find some ways to take advantage of some kids who aren't getting the opportunity to play that I think can help us," Batchelor said. "I think when we come back from the break and reassess it opens everything up again. It puts everyone on notice that they have to come back ready to work.
"I'm looking forward to getting back on the floor Friday night and getting back at it."
