Hawks and Towson unable to finish game due to facility issue


TOWSON, Maryland - Competing in the final game before the Thanksgiving holiday, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks and Towson Tigers were unable to finish the game due to condensation on the floor of the TU Arena.


"It is unfortunate that we couldn't finish the game but the decision to suspend play is in the best interest of the safety for our players. Luckily, the officials noticed water coming from the roof and let both teams know of the issue," UMES head coach Fred Batchelor said. "While this is a strange situation, I am glad nobody was hurt and we came to a mutual agreement to suspend play."


The teams played the first two quarters of the game in a relatively low-scoring, defensive battle. Both teams tallied just seven made baskets with Towson shooting 25.9% (7-27) and the Hawks making 24.1% if their shots (7-29). While shooters struggled to find rythym, the UMES bench was a key factor in the Hawks taking a 21-19 lead before play was suspended as Ariana Seawell recorded five points and six rebounds while Jala Bannerman scored four points.


"I thought we matched up well with Towson defensively in a first half where it was tough to find points," said Batchelor. "While we had a lead, mother nature ended up being something that neither team could control. We will look at what we did well and where we need to improve as we turn our focus to Sunday's home game against UMBC."


As the teams returned to the court for what they hoped would be the start of the third quarter, they were greeted with the scene of facility staff and athletic administration attempting to identify and stop a slow dripping leak from the roof of the TU Arena while heavy rain and wind continued to soak the exterior of the building as well as the greater Baltimore area. After nearly an hour of attempts to stop the leak as well as deliberation by school administrators, the decision to suspend play was agreed upon by teams and officials. A date to resume play has yet to be determined.


"It is a situation that I have never seen before in my career. I think we all wanted to continue to play but the right decision was made," Batchelor said. "We appreciated the efforts by Towson to try to correct the issue while communicating with us throughout the night."


UMES hosts UMBC on Sunday at 2 pm.