PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore dug themselves an early hole on Monday night at home against Morgan State heading into the half down 35-21 in what was an extremely physical game and were never quite able to battle back.

The Hawks (5-12, 1-4 MEAC) put up a 21-point third quarter and cut the Bears' lead to nine (46-55) with 8:15 to go in the fourth, but that was the closest they would get, eventually falling 72-60.

"I thought we put up a good fight," head coach Fred Batchelor said. "They shot the ball extremely well, particularly in the first quarter."

Morgan State (8-6, 2-3 MEAC) was 5-for-9 from behind the arc in the first half and 8-for-8 from the free throw line. The Hawks managed to hold them to 27% from the field in the second quarter but put up just eight total points in the period and turned the ball over eight times.

Senior Brooklyn Bailey (Rock Hill, South Carolina) scored 12 of her 15 points in the third quarter for Eastern Shore as they hit at a 47% clip and turned the ball over just once.

"I thought we made our run when we made some shots," Batchelor said. "We had a big third quarter and a decent fourth quarter, but it's hard to win basketball games shooting 38% from the field, 20% from three and a whopping 58% from the line. We missed 11 free throws and they were 19-of-22."

Eastern Shore lost the turnover battle 17-11, but won the battle on the glass 42-36 in a game that featured eight technical fouls and saw Morgan States Dahnye Redd and Hawks senior Taylor Clayborne (Upper Marlboro, Maryland) both ejected.

The Bears finished the game 7-of-15 from deep and in the decisive fourth quarter were 6-of-12 from the field, 1-of-3 from behind the arc and 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

"I think teams are shooting really well against us," Batchelor said. "47% from three on 15 attempts is pretty good. And you couple that with the free throws that is the game."

Sophomore Zamara Haynes (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) chipped in 10 points in her first career start, but struggled from the line going 6-of-11. Junior Mahogany Lester (Virginia Beach, Virginia) added eight points, five rebounds an assist and a pair of steals.

"I thought we fought," Batchelor said. "I thought we showed a lot of resiliency. We are going to have to continue to be resilient because it doesn't get any easier from here. We have four games coming up in eight days.

The Shore will travel to Howard Feb. 5, host Norfolk State on Feb. 7, go to Delaware State on Feb. 9 and then Norfolk State on Feb. 12.