PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore got a pair of key free throws from point guard Mya Thomas (Chesapeake, Virginia) with 17 seconds left and a defensive stop and rebound by Amanda Carney (Old Bridge, New Jersey) with four seconds remaining to grab a 66-61 victory against visiting Navy (4-4).

"The thing about Mya is that I wouldn't bet against her," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "She is going through her sophomore season challenges, which is a huge adjustment because it is your job full-time to lead this team. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with that and it's a lot to put on your shoulders and you have to be mentally tough to deal with the coaching, the leadership and everything that comes with that.

"She has struggled with that at times, but I think she is showing that she is somebody you can depend on. I was not surprised at all. At the end of the game, that was the only person's hands I wanted the ball in, because I figured she would do a good job on finishing the game like she did."

The Hawks (4-4) led all but 21 seconds of the game, but were never able to put the contest out of reach due much in part to Navy's Jennifer Coleman who put up 30 points, 14 rebounds, 7 steals and three assists before fouling out with 21:35 left in the contest.

"It was good to get a win," Batchelor said. "It's the first Division I win of the year — against a reputable opponent — and I'm really happy about that. I thought we had to win it the hard way. We played against a great player in Coleman. She is one of the most talented kids we have faced. I thought compared to their last game, she looked like a different player against us. She really stepped up. We were fortunate to find a way to win, but not by making it easy for ourselves."

The Hawks shot 29% from behind the arc, 53% from the free throw line and turned the ball over 17 times but somehow managed to make plays when they needed them most. One key was the scoring in the paint where The Shore outscored the Midshipmen 28-12, while they also shot 45% from the field overall.

Thomas led the Hawks with 14 points, was 3-of-3 form the line, 3-of-5 from behind the arc and did not turn the ball over in 27 minutes.

Carney tied for the team lead in rebounds with six, scored 12 points and led the team in assists for the second straight game with four and picked up a steal in 28 minutes.

"Amanda's energy was good," Batchelor said. "She did a lot today and I thought she showed a lot of energy in 28 minutes. I think she is capable of doing that with large minutes and she has followed up with large rebounding and just one turnover. I think the thing that is going to open up the outside shooting for her is going to be putting the ball in the basket other ways and doing other things. She was only 1-for-4 from 3, but that will come. I'm expecting her to only get better from here."

Mahogany Lester (Virginia Beach, Virginia) scored 10 points and added five boards, an assist and a block in the second most minutes she has played this year.

"If we can keep Mahogany on the floor, her going 5-of-6 with 10 points in just 25 minutes was huge," Batchelor said. "She brought lots of energy, grabbed three offensive rebounds. I thought she got after the glass and we like to have her on the floor. She is more than capable of playing for that 25 minutes physically, but has to get more disciplined with the fouls. They just seem to find her."

Taylor Clayborne (Upper Marlboro, Maryland) tied Carney for the team lead in rebounds with six and Angelique Taylor (Wachapreague, Virginia) added five, but the Hawks were outrebounded by the Mids 47-38.

Brooklyn Bailey (Rock Hill, South Carolina) chipped in eight points for the Hawks.

Eastern Shore will get Monday off from practice and head to Philadelphia on Tuesday for Wednesday's (Dec. 8) 6 p.m. battle at La Salle.

"It will be good to build off a win," Batchelor said. "It is going to be a tough game on the road, but I think we will be up for the challenge and as long as we are healthy and not tired — I think we are in good shape and I think this will be a good opportunity for us. We just have to get better and find ways to not beat ourselves."