ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore used a stifling defense to close out the final 3:32 at Navy on a 14-4 run to grab a 72-66 victory on Thursday (Dec.1). The Hawks (3-6) played their most complete game of the season so far battling on the glass, playing aggressive on offense and committing just five turnovers.

"They just played really hard," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "And I really think they were inspired by the men yesterday (in a win against Lehigh). I asked them about the game and they talked about how hard they thought they guys played and they came out tonight and probably played harder than they have all year long.

"But the difference from the other times was that they didn't negate it with mistakes. Only five turnovers? I don't know if I have ever coached a game with only five turnovers."

Mya Thomas (Chesapeake, Virginia) — who twisted her ankle late in the win against Virginia Union — chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal. She hit several big shots in the second half when she scored 10 of her 12.

"Mya was huge," Batchelor said. "Mya was an ankle sprain away from not being able to play, but our athletic trainer Pat Nativio did a great job in getting her to where she could get on the floor tonight. Without her we don't win that game and I thought Mya showed a lot of toughness and resilience both getting back and playing at not fully 100."

Freshman Jála Bannerman (Baltimore, Maryland), making just her second career start, matched a career high with 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting — including four from deep —  to go with a rebound, three assists and a steal.

"Ja'la was big again and it was on the road too," Batchelor said. "It's not often you get a freshman that can do that on the road."

But she wasn't the only UMES player to have a big night as Zamara Haynes (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) added 14 points off the bench and had four rebounds, four assists, four steals, while picking up zero turnovers in 31 minutes.

"A lot of that has everything to do with how she has handled the adjustment to the starting lineup," Batchelor said. "I have to say that for all four of the players who moved to the bench. It just goes to show their character that they decided they were going to accept it and make things better. They played two back-to-back good games and we now get better when we go to our bench."

The Hawks bench outscored Navy's 39-13.

Ariana Seawell (Bronx, New York) had 10 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Mahogany Lester (Virginia Beach, Virginia) had eight points, three boards and a pair of steals. Freshman Ashanti Lynch (Hookerton, North Carolina) also had another strong overall game with seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

"I'm proud of them and proud of the way they played on the road," Batchelor said. "It was a big win for us. Now we have to get ready for the road trip, which isn't going to be easy."

The Hawks will next travel to James Madison for a 2 p.m. matchup on Sunday (Dec. 4) and then play at East Carolina, Tuesday (Dec. 6) at 6 p.m.