PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team heads south for the first of two games in the Carolinas, taking on South Carolina State University on Saturday, January 21 at 4 p.m.
The Hawks play the second role in the twin bill, with the women's teams slated for a 2 p.m. start. A date with North Carolina Central follows on Monday, January 23 before the Hawks fly home to Princess Anne.
Checking on the Hawks
At 9-8 on the season and 2-1 in conference play, UMES will walk into the confines of Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center as winners of six of their last seven games. The Hawks have lost just one game since their trip to Duke on December 10, falling to reigning conference champion Norfolk State on the road on January 7.
Graduate guard Zion Styles has found a new gear since returning to the starting lineup on January 9 against Howard. In the two-game span, Styles has lead the team in scoring with 15 point in each contest while shooting 12-of-19 (63 percent) from the floor and 4-of-6 from three.
Despite ranking second on the team in free throw attempts, Styles posted those numbers while collecting just three chances from the stripe. All three came against Delaware State on January 14.
The scoring has been well distributed in conference play as it has all season long. Da'Shawn Phillip and Kevon Voyles are right behind Styles, averaging 10.3 and 10 points against MEAC opponents, respectively.
Nathaniel Pollard Jr. continues to anchor the Hawk defense, leading the team in steals (27) and blocks (13) through 17 games. Pollard is the second-ranked rebounder in the MEAC at 7.9 boards per game and slots in seventh in the conference in steals per game (1.6).
Ahamadou Fofana's stability at the point position has aided the Hawks tremendously. Fofana, who holds a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio in 59 career games, leads UMES with 43 feeds this season.
As a team, the Hawks rank with the nation's best in several categories. As of January 20, the squad slots in fifth in the country averaging 10.4 steals per contest and holds the 16th spot in turnovers forced per game (17.3). UMES holds a +3.3 turnover margin, placing them in the top-40 in Division I as well.
Scouting the Bulldogs
At 3-16 on the year, South Carolina State is still in search of its first league win of the 2022-23 campaign. The Bulldog wins have come over East Carolina, Samford and most recently NAIA foe St. Andrews University.
Saturday's hosts have played just three games on their home floor this season. After a scrimmage against West Virginia Tech, the Bulldogs opened their regular season with 11 consecutive road matchups. They made their home debut on December 13 in a 94-84 defeat to UNC Asheville.
Junior guard Rakeim Gary leads South Carolina State in scoring, averaging 11.2 points with 201 total on the year. Gary holds the top spot in assists as well, averaging 2.7 per game.
Sophomore forward Davion Everett has been the team's top glass cleaner at just under six boards per effort. Everett's premier day came on December 10 against USC Upstate when he collected 20 points and 12 rebounds.
"Our road swing begins with a scrappy South Carolina State team that ranks sixth in the nation in offensive rebounds," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "Our effort and tenacity on the glass will be a huge priority for us."
In addition to averaging 14 offensive boards per game, the Bulldogs also rank fifth in the MEAC in scoring, averaging 72.9 points per game to the Hawks 67.7.
The major difference comes on the defensive side, though: South Carolina State ranks last in the league in scoring defense allowing nearly 90 points per game, while UMES sits atop the conference allowing a stingy 67.5 points on average.
Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m., but the contest will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's contest beginning at 2.
