PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team readies to face its Route 13 rival Delaware State University on Saturday, January 14. Tip is slated for 4 p.m. from the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
The Hawks (8-8, 1-1 MEAC) kept their home record spotless with a win over Howard University in their last action on January 9. UMES enters at 6-0 inside the friendly confines of the Hytche and has won eight consecutive contests on its home floor dating back to last season.
The Hornets (1-14, 0-2 MEAC) make the short trip from Dover, Delaware seeking their first victory on the road since the 2019-20 season, when they defeated the Hawks 84-63 on February 29, 2020.
Checking on the Hawks
UMES enters the Saturday showdown as winners of five of their last six games. The team pieced together its best shooting night of the season in Monday's victory over the Bison, shooting 33 of 60 (55 percent) from the floor.
The defense has been the heartbeat of the Hawks recent success. As of January 13, the Hawks rank fourth in the nation in steals-per-game (10.4) and 18th in turnovers-forced-per-game (17.25).
The Hawks also boast the top scoring defense in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, allowing 67.6 points-per-game. The team sits third in the league in turnover margin at 3.13, one of three teams in the MEAC to sit above three in the category (Morgan State, North Carolina Central).
Kevon Voyles, Da'Shawn Phillip, and Zion Styles sit atop the scoring column as the three Hawks averaging double-digits on the season. Voyles has scored 12.0 points-per-game since returning from injury, while Phillip and Styles average 10.6 and 10.3, respectively.
Nathaniel Pollard Jr. continues to serve as the Hawks leading glass-cleaner, averaging a team-high 7.6 rebounds and nearly nine points this season. Ahamadou Fofana has run the point admirably for the Hawks thus far, averaging nearly seven points per contest while leading the squad in assists (36).
Off the bench, Tuka Nugent and Troy Hupstead have provided crucial minutes for UMES. Nugent averages 5.1 points and 2.6 rebounds while ranking third on the team in assists (27), while Hupstead has scored 10+ points in consecutive games including 13 against Howard on Monday.
Scouting the Hornets
Delaware State's lone victory this season came over Immaculata University on November 10, 2022. Despite their record, the Hornets have played close contests with tough opponents, losing to Villanova by 10 on November 14 and to Columbia by just five on November 16.
Saturday's visitors have faced the same two opponents as UMES has to open their MEAC slate. They dropped an 84-64 decision to Howard and a 78-65 final to Norfolk State, opening at 0-2 in league play.
Headlining the Hornets is 6'11" senior forward Brandon Stone, who averages 12 points and just over five rebounds (both team-highs). Junior guard Martaz Robinson leads the Hornets in minutes played while ranking second in assists (42) and steals (16).
Robinson was one of two Hornet guards to show out in the team's loss to Norfolk State last time out, scoring a career-high 21 points including going 10 for 10 from the stripe. Freshman guard Jevin Muniz also tallied a career mark, scoring 22 points and hitting five of his seven attempts from range.
The Hawks have swung the all-time series with Delaware State in recent years. The all-time series is tied at 57-57, but UMES has won eight of the last 10 contests with their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe.
"Excited for this Route 13 Rivalry game," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "We need to be ready to defend home court while embracing the challenge of this historic rivalry."
While scheduled for 4 p.m., the men's contest will begin 30 minutes after the women's game concludes.
