NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore had one of its better defensive efforts of the season holding Norfolk State to just 43 points on the road, but managed just eight second-half points in a 43-34 loss in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener.

"That's a young team learning how to win against a championship-level team on the road," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "We came out in the second half 10 (26-16) and then they went on an 8-0 run at some point and at the end of the day Camille Downs took over the game. That had to be the lowest scoring output that I ever experienced."

Downs finished with 22 of her team's 43 points.

The Hawks (4-11, 0-1 MEAC) took the lead 8-7 in the first quarter on a layup by local product My Thomas (Chesapeake, Virginia) and managed to hold it until the 6:38 mark of the fourth when the Spartans tied it at 31-31. NSU took the lead moments later and never relinquished it.

"I think we have a lot of growing up to do real quick, but I think we showed in the first half what we are capable of doing," Batchelor said. "Having a back court that played the way we played and having a chance late — if you had told me the backcourt would play like that I would have said we lost by 30."The guards combined to go 4-of-24 from the field with 20 turnovers and just five assists.

The Hawks finished the game shooting 22% from the field, but that number was pulled down significantly by a 2-of-21 second half. The squad was also just 13-of-24 from the free throw line and 21% from behind the arc (3-of-14).

The defense did force 21 Norfolk turnovers, but had trouble overcoming 29 of their own in a mostly frenetic up-and-down contest. UMES did win the battle on the glass 28-26, but allowed 18 offensive rebounds by Norfolk State (13-3, 1-0 MEAC)

No Hawks reached double digits in scoring. Sophomore Ariana Seawell (Bronx, New York) led the way with eight points and nine rebounds.

"The assistant coach put together a game plan that was very effective and we just didn't capitalize," Batchelor said. "We had an opportunity to beat one of the best teams in the league at home on our opening night and walk away  0-1. So we have to get back and get focused and get ready for the defending champions on Monday."

UMES will host defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champions Howard on Monday at 5:30 p.m.