BALTIMORE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team continued its excellent season and start to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, knocking off Morgan State University 72-58 on Monday evening.
For the Hawks (13-8, 6-1 MEAC), it's the first six-game winning streak since the 1973-74 season, when the program opened its season with 20 consecutive victories. It's also the first six-game winning streak of Jason Crafton's coaching career, conveniently coming on his 41st birthday as well.
The 6-1 start to league play for UMES is also the best since the 1973-74 season, when the Hawks got out to an 8-1 start in the MEAC.
UMES stepped onto the floor at Hill Field House ready to battle the Bears. The Hawks jumped out to a 16-7 lead over the first four and a half minutes and held their ground, stretching the lead to 15 with 9:45 left in the first half.
Morgan State found a response, piecing together a 7-1 run over the next three minutes. The Hawks scored to snap the streak, but the Bears ended the first period on a 13-3 run to bring the gap down to just one point, 35-34.
Much like they did against Coppin State on Saturday, the Hawks dominated the second half. UMES promptly established a 9-0 run in the opening minutes, a statement stretch that spurred the Hawks on to the win.
The Hawks surrendered just 24 second-half points to the Bears, never letting them within six points and leading by as much as 19 in the final 20 minutes.
Nathaniel Pollard Jr. notched his second double-double in as many games, the second time this season he has collected back-to-back double-doubles. Pollard finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Kevon Voyles had the hot hand from beyond the arc, hitting four of his five three-point attempts and finishing with 17 points. Da'Shawn Phillip did a little bit of everything for UMES in the victory, logging five points, six rebounds and five assists while playing 36 minutes for the Hawks.
"Nate's double-double, Kevon's hot shooting and Da'Shawn's timely assists were all big for us," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said.
Ahamadou Fofana finished with seven points and three assists, while Tuka Nugent provided five points, six rebounds and two assists off the bench.
UMES tallied another impressive team performance in Baltimore as well. Eight different Hawks scored at least 5 points, while the team collected 21 assists and outrebounded the Bears 49-25 on the night.
"The most important stats of the night were our +14 team effort on the glass, to go along with 21 assists," Crafton said. "That shows a level of team toughness and togetherness that made the biggest difference."
"Our '1WAY' culture continues to push us ahead of the competition. Morgan is not an easy place to win and we dominated them tonight. We're proud of our guys."
At the halfway point of conference play, the Hawks return home for their final non-conference tilt of the season. UMES hosts Regent University on Thursday, February 2 with tip scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Hytche.
