Hawks win fourth straight home game with 54-47 win over FDU


PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks defeated the FDU Knights on Saturday, 54-47, for their fourth straight home win.


The Hawks improved to 5-5 overall on the year while FDU dropped to 2-8 overall.


"We grinded out a win tonight against a really talented FDU team. I thought we did a good job of getting the stops we needed down the stretch," UMES head coach Fred Batchelor said. "We have been focused on defending all year long and it made the difference tonight."


In a back-and-forth first quarter, the Hawks led by as many as five after a three-point play by Ariana Seawell gave UMES a 19-14 lead. Baskets by FDU's Staci Williams and Teneisia Brown in the final minute of the quarter brought the Knights to within one after 10 minutes, 19-18.


UMES scored the first two baskets of the second period as a three pointer by Jala Bannerman gave her team a six point edge. UMES led by seven at two different points in the quarter before taking a 33-28 lead into the break.


Despite opening up the third quarter with a cold one-for-10 start from the field, the Hawks maintained a seven point edge with 2:07 left. Three pointers from Staci Williams and Wilma Sorensen borught the Knights back within one before a Zamara Haynes layin with 26 seconds left put UMES up by three going into the fourth quarter.


By the 5:34 mark of the fourth, FDU managed to tied up the contest, 44-44, on a Abby Conklin three point make. 30 seconds later, FDU took a one point lead an a free throw from Brown. Guard Mya Thomas had the answer for the Hawks with a three pointer of her own on the next possession followed by a floater at the 3:27 mark to get UMES back on top. 


The Hawk defense held FDU scoreless for the final four minutes of the game while making all five free throw attempts down the stretch to seal the seven point win. 


Thomas led the Hawks with 13 points while Seawell came off the bench to finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.

As a team, the Hawks were an efficient 91.7% from the free throw line (11-12) and turned 14 FDU turnovers into a 18-7 edge in points scored off giveaways.


Holding FDU to 47 points, it is the lowest amount of points the Hawks have allowed since last year's 49-46 MEAC Tournament win over Moran State (March 8). UMES is also off to its best start to a season since 2016.


"We took advantage of our opportunities tonight. We have a good group of players who showed toughness in the crucial moments of the game," says Batchelor. "I am proud of the way we have been able to defend our home court and we hope to keep this momentum going through the rest of the month and leading into conference play in January."


The Hawks will have a week to prepare for next Saturday's road game at Wagner.