PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team makes the short trip to Baltimore, Maryland to face Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Morgan State University on Monday, January 30 at Hill Field House.
The group of teams tied for first in the MEAC slimmed to just two after Saturday's games: UMES (12-8, 5-1) and Howard (13-10, 5-1). Morgan State (11-10, 4-2) fell out of that group after falling to Delaware State in the final 30 seconds, 64-62.
Checking on the Hawks
The Hawks got key performances from their veterans in their win against Coppin State on Saturday evening.
Zion Styles, who leads the Hawks in points this season and averages 11.4 per game, dished out a career-high eight assists. Nathaniel Pollard Jr. logged his fourth double-double of the season with 23 points (career-high) and 11 rebounds while also collecting six dimes (career-high).
A 16-point effort from Kevon Voyles would be enough to lead the Hawks on some nights, but it brought him third in Saturday's offensive outburst. Da'Shawn Phillip collected 12 points and five steals on the night, his most pickpockets in any game this season.
UMES has now won five games in a row, the best stretch since the 1997-98 season. They also have the best start to home-court play (8-0) and conference play (5-1) since the program returned to the MEAC for the 1981-82 season.
In addition, the team's 12 wins are the most for the program during head coach Jason Crafton's tenure and the highest total since the 2016-17 campaign.
UMES continues to be one of Division I's most disruptive defensive units, ranking second in steals as of January 29 with 10.7 per game. The Hawks also rank in the top-15 in turnovers forced per game (17.8) and top-30 in turnover margin (+3.5).
Scouting the Bears
The Hawks have to contend with the MEAC's top scoring offense in their trip to Baltimore on Monday. The Bears average 78.4 points per game, in large part due to their league-leading 39.1 percent clip on three-pointers.
Morgan State's fast-paced attack is led by their dynamic backcourt tandem of Isaiah Burke and Malik Miller. The pair has combined to average nearly 38 points per game this season.
Burke ranks in the top-10 in the nation in three-point percentage at 46 percent while averaging 20 points a night. Miller nearly averages a double-double, scoring 17.5 points and securing 9.8 boards per effort.
"We are excited for this matchup with Morgan," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "Their transition attack and shooting is definitely something we are going to need to neutralize."
Defensively, the Bears have an identity not unlike the Hawks. Morgan has consistently ranked near the top of the nation in steals as well and, as of January 29, are second in Division I forcing 19.3 turnovers per game.
"They are also a scrappy defensive team," Crafton said. "This should be a classic MEAC battle."
Over the last 17 matchups between the two schools, Morgan holds a slim 9-8 lead. The teams split the season series last year, with the Bears claiming the most recent installment by an 82-48 final.
Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as part of the usual men's and women's doubleheader.
