PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team dropped their Monday night (February 14) matchup with the Howard University Bison 77-71 inside the Hytche Center.

The Hawks (8-12, 3-6 MEAC) came into the game shorthanded as the team was missing their two leading scorers. Senior Zion Styles missed his first game of the season after getting injured in the team's last game at Norfolk State. Junior Dom London has been out for the squad for the last two weeks. Both players could potentially return before the season ends.

"I thought the lineups we had to play tonight with more injuries found a way to keep us in the game and we made a great run down the stretch," head coach Jason Crafton said. "Shout out to them for getting the W, but we have to do a better job of not turning the ball over and giving up so many open threes."

Howard got out to a 10-4 lead after five minutes of play. The Hawks answered by going on a 10-3 run over the next three minutes. The run began with a jumper by junior Kevon Voyles and ended with a layup by junior Da'Shawn Phillip. The Shore held a 14-13 advantage at that point with 11:27 on the clock.

The lead traded hands four times in the next three minutes before HU hit two 3-pointers in a row to lead 24-19 with 7:42 left in the half. The Shore would keep the lead at five or fewer points for the rest of the first half.

With under one minute left, Howard led 34-29. The Hawks got within two courtesy of a shot behind the arc from senior Mike Mensah. Howard hit a three of their own with six seconds left and Mensah followed that by hitting a shot from 30 feet when the halftime buzzer went off to make the score 37-35 at the break.

Eastern Shore struggled from the field in the opening minutes of the second half. Senior Nathaniel Pollard, Jr. made a layup at the 18:33 to tie the score at 37. The team would not make another shot from the field until the 13:07 mark. Howard led 49-41 after the cold streak from Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Shore would make five straight free throws to get within three at 49-46 with 10:50 remaining. HU scored eight straight points in a little over a minute to go up 57-46 with 9:39 left.

Maryland Eastern Shore was kept at bay by the Bison over the next several minutes as Howard led 69-59 with 2:59 left. The Hawks would begin to make a push after that. Phillip and Voyles made back to back layups to get the score to 69-63 with 1:29 left to begin the surge.

Following two free throws from HU, Mensah completed a three point play with 49 seconds left to make the score 71-66. The Bison hit one foul shot on the next possession to make the score 72-66. Senior Donchevell "Tuka" Nugent then hit a shot behind the arc and got fouled to make the score 72-69, but he could not complete the 4-point play. Howard would hit two free throws of their own after that.

Phillip made another layup with seven seconds left to make the score 75-71. Another two from the line by Howard would officially end the game and give the Bison the victory.

Voyles had 14 points to lead the Hawks in scoring and tie his career high. Mensah and Nugent each had 11 for Eastern Shore as well. Pollard, Jr. had 10 rebounds for the second game in a row to go along with eight points. Howard's Kyle Foster finished with a game-high 22 points.

The Shore will now be on the road for their next two games at South Carolina State on February 19 and North Carolina Central on February 21.