PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore got 45 points from a trio of scorers as they topped Division III Washington College 76-50 in their first home game of the season.
The Hawks (1-2) got a career-high 16 points from redshirt sophomore Mahogany Lester (Virginia Beach, Virginia), a game-high 17 from junior Mya Thomas (Chesapeake, Virginia) and 12 from freshman Ja'la Bannerman (Baltimore, Maryland).
UMES used a 23-8 advantage in the first quarter to get out early and had a few lapses in the second quarter that prevented them from building on the lead.
"I thought all-in-all we did what we needed to do to take care of business," head coach Fred Batchelor said. "It's hard to get in a rhythm when you are playing 12 kids in the first half. That's on me. I was trying to get more kids out there and it disjoints your rhythm. I did that to them today and it led to some not so good looking basketball."
The Shorewomen played within two points in the second quarter including 5-of-8 from the line where they spent a lot of time on the day. Washington (1-1) was 19-of-27 from the line as the Hawks had some problems with reaching on defense at times.
UMES responded with a 22-15 advantage in the third to pull away with Lester putting up seven points in that quarter and Thomas six.
"I liked the way they responded when I challenged them," Batchelor said. "I thought that there were some things that we did well, but we have so much to work on going forward and it's not going to get any easier."
It was a huge game for Lester who after being injured as a freshman in 2019-20, had played just one season of basketball in three years on campus. She added a game-high six rebounds, an assist and a steal and tied a career-high with 29 minutes played.
"I thought Mahogany played a great game," Batchelor said. "I thought she gave us good energy and knocked down some shots. I think this is the type of game that she needed to see for her own self confidence because I think she is still developing as a senior who has only played one year of basketball. It is going to be important for us to see her through this process."
Makayla Adams (Bowie, Maryland) also had a key game in her return from last year's injury, pushing her minutes more than any other game this season and scoring eight points and grabbing four boards off the bench.
"Mak did some good things today and like I told her: 'you haven't played basketball in two years. This was your third game in two years so it's going to take some time,'" Batchelor said. "I just need her to be a little smarter out there, thinking more than trying to use her physical capabilities. But I was pleased with what I saw from her."
UMES held a 38-35 advantage on the glass, shot 76% from the free throw line (13-of-17) and 44.6% from the field (29-of-65). The Hawks had 11 steals, but turned the ball over 17 times.
Zamara Haynes (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) added nine points, two rebounds and two steals, but fouled out in 24 minutes. Ariana Seawell (Bronx, New York) and Lainey Allen (Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania) chipped in six rebounds each. Seawell had three assists.
The Hawks will return to action on Wednesday (Nov. 16) when they host Wagner at 6 p.m.
"We have got to get better," Batchelor said. "Our opponents are going to get tougher."
