ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team secured its tenth victory of the season on Saturday evening, knocking off South Carolina State 76-70 at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

"Huge road win, so many guys contributed," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "That was a total team effort."

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foes traded buckets out of the gate, finding themselves in a 9-9 tie just over three minutes in. The Hawks used consecutive baskets to spread the gap to four, but the Bulldogs responded with six straight to lead 15-13.

The basket-matching continued throughout the bulk of the first half. The Hawks found their way to a 30-27 lead with 3:55 left, but the Bulldogs scored eight consecutive points to lead 35-30 at the intermission.

UMES planted its flag on the start of the second half, starting the period on an 11-2 run and sinking eight of its first 10 shots out of the break. The Hawks took their largest lead of the night, 49-38, with 12:34 to go.

As they did all night, South Carolina State responded quickly. The Bulldogs scored eight unanswered on their way to a 13-2 run that tied the contest at 51-51. Then the game was tied at 53. Then 54.

With six minutes remaining, UMES stretched the lead back to three, 59-56. A pair of free throws brought the margin back to one before the Hawks clawed their way to a 63-58 margin, but the Bulldogs scored six unanswered to set the score even, 64-64.

The Hawks put the final nail in the coffin with a 6-0 run, refusing to allow South Carolina State within four points on the way to the final score.

Kevon Voyles served as the Hawks catalyst in the win, finishing with a game-high 27 points. The total was not only a career-high for Voyles, but the highest scoring effort of any Hawk this season.

Voyles also brought in seven boards and was one of three Hawks to swipe three possessions from the Bulldogs on the night.

"Kevon had the hot hand," Crafton said. "He made big time plays all night."

Zion Styles scored 15 points for the third-straight game, making five of six from the floor with two assists and three steals. Nathaniel Pollard Jr. finished one rebound shy of a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

Chace Davis dropped nine with a pair of steals off the Hawk bench, while Da'Shawn Phillip scored eight and swiped three Bulldog passes.

"Zion gave us a huge boost even while playing through foul trouble," Crafton said. "I thought Da'Shawn made some clutch defensive plays along with free throws to help us close the game out."

Ahamadou Fofana was the only other Hawk to score on the night, tallying seven points.

The second half offensive surge helped UMES to a brisk 29-of-51 (56.9 percent) shooting night. The Hawks also got to the line 21 times in the second, pushing 13 through the net. UMES outrebounded State 31-29 and recorded 15 steals en route to the victory.

"Rebounding was a major theme and we answered the call, out-rebounding one of the nation's best in that regard," Crafton said. "We had too many turnovers tonight and we will address that in film tomorrow and improve."

The Hawks have a quick turnaround as they prepare for the second half of the road trip, battling North Carolina Central on Monday, January 23 in Durham. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from McDougald-McLendon Arena.