PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — With only three games left in the regular season, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team begins their most important stretch of the season with a Saturday afternoon (February 26) tilt with the Coppin State University Eagles.
The Hawks (9-13, 4-7 MEAC) sit one game behind CSU in the MEAC standings entering Saturday. The Shore currently sits in seventh place, while Coppin State is fifth. Morgan State, Eastern Shore's opponent on Monday (February 25), is a ½ game ahead of the Hawks and in sixth place.
"Now is the time to go on a run," head coach Jason Crafton said. "If we can get everyone back (from injury), we can be a scary team in March because we've already seen what this team is capable of."
Maryland Eastern Shore is coming off their most impressive win of the season. They exorcised the basketball demons of North Carolina Central as they ended an 18 game losing streak to NC Central with a 79-66 win last Monday. Prior to that victory, Eastern Shore had not defeated NCCU since the first full day of Barack Obama's first term as president on January 21, 2009.
Eastern Shore enjoyed their best shooting night from behind the arc against North Carolina Central as they shot 58.3% on 14 made 3-pointers. They also dished out a season high 22 assists as well. Freshman Chace Davis led the charge with 22 points, and senior Nathaniel Pollard, Jr. added in 19 points of his own to go along with five assists.
A win against Coppin State will complete the season sweep of the Eagles. The Hawks grabbed their first win of MEAC play against CSU back on January 29 by a score of 64-61. If Eastern Shore can get the W it will secure the tiebreaker for them over Coppin State for seeding purposes for the MEAC Tournament.
The game will be broadcast on FloHoops with Keith Raad and former Hawks coach Frankie Allen on the call. Live stats will also be available for the game. Links for both the stream and the stats will be on the Hawks website easternshorehawks.com on the men's basketball schedule page.
