GREENVILLE, N.C. – A poor start to the third quarter ultimately doomed the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team in a 72-57 loss at East Carolina University on Monday.

The loss drops UMES to 4-5 overall while ECU improves to 5-3 on the season.

The Hawks appeared poised for success on the road as the UMES defense held ECU to just 21 first half points on 10-of-35 shooting. UMES guard Jala Bannerman paced the Hawk offense with 11 points as the they built up a 10 point lead by halftime, 31-21.

The Hawk momentum stalled in the third quarter as the turnover tally crept up to 12. While possessions were an issue for the Hawks, ECU went from being down 10 to up by as many as nine. ECU put up 30 points in the third frame to just 11 by the Hawks and went into the final 10 minutes of play with a 51-42 lead.

UMES was unable to fully recover from the third quarter on as a 8-0 ECU run midway through the quarter gave the Pirates full control with a 17-point lead at the 2:12 mark. ECU went on to outscore UMES, 51 to 26, in the second half on their way to the 15-point victory.

Taking advantage of 31 Hawk turnovers, ECU held a 31-16 edge in points scored off giveaways. UMES was also outshot in the game as the Hawks finished 35% from the field compared to the Pirates' 50% performance from the field.

A huge factor in the outcome was a 34 point performance off the bench by ECU's Danae McNeal.

UMES was paced by Ariana Seawell's 14 points and seven rebounds. Bannerman also finished the game with 14 points.
 
The Hawks return home to host FDU on Saturday at 2 pm.