PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore got off to a fast start on Monday (Feb. 7) at home against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference No. 1 Norfolk State taking a 10-point lead in the first quarter.

But an offensive funk overshadowed one of the team's best defensive efforts of the season as the Spartans captured the lead — which was never more than 6 points — but turned out to be just enough as they escaped the Hytche Center with a 53-48 victory.

"If somebody had told me earlier today that we would be in a one-possession game with this team, after shooting 27% from the field, 20% from three, 55% from the free throw line — with 25 turnovers — I would have said they were crazy.

"Our kids defended their butts off," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "They had two kids who averaged almost 20 a game that we held to half their average for the most part. They are averaging 75 a game in conference play. We wanted to hold them below 60 and we did, but I guess I should have said we needed to put the ball in the basket too."

The Hawks (6-13, 2-5) held Norfolk (10-7, 6-0 MEAC) to just 26% from the field and 26% from behind the arc. However, the Spartans made 18-of-21 (86%) from the free throw line, while the Hawks were 10-of-18 in a game they lost by just five points.

The team amassed 60 total rebounds with 26 of those coming on the offensive glass, but scored just 11 second-chance points.

"I'm proud of the kids," Batchelor said. "I'm proud of their effort. I'm proud of their toughness. I thought we showed some mental toughness and some resiliency. Because we really didn't play well — 25 turnovers and not shooting the ball — but we still had the resolve to defend. I'm proud of that and I believe this is only going to make us better."

Freshman Ariana Seawell (Bronx, New York) managed her second career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds (9 offensive), but struggled from the line (1-of-4) and got into foul trouble early limiting her to 17 minutes after 29 at Howard on Saturday.

"This is a game that she would probably want to have back, but a double-double nonetheless," Batchelor said. "She's giving us some production that we hadn't been getting."

Senior Brooklyn Bailey (Rock Hill, South Carolina) added 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting to go with four rebounds. Sophomore Zamara Haynes (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) led the Hawks in scoring with 12 points, two rebounds an assist and a steal. She was 3-of-8 from the field and 6-for-10 from the line.

Graduate student Bairesha Gill-Miles (Lexington, Kentucky) pulled down 11 rebounds off the bench and had two points and a pair of assists.

Eastern Shore will next travel to Delaware State on Wednesday (Feb. 9) for a 5:30 matchup as part of a men's and women's doubleheader.