PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team returns to the nest for a home matchup with National Christian College Athletic Association-foe Regent University on Thursday, February 2. Tip for the contest is slated for 7:00 p.m.
The Hawks (13-8, 6-1 MEAC) enter with an unblemished 8-0 record on their home floor in William P. Hytche Athletic Center. The squad is nearing a full calendar year unbeaten in Princess Anne, with the last home loss for UMES coming on February 14, 2022 against Howard.
Checking on the Hawks
UMES returns home boasting the first six-game winning streak since the 1973-74 season and a dominant win over Morgan State, 72-58. The Hawks clamped down in the second half, holding the Bears to just 24 points while tacking on 37 of their own in the period.
Nathaniel Pollard Jr. headlined the Hawks for the second straight contest, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds in Baltimore. That effort combined with his double-double versus Coppin State on Saturday, January 28 earned Pollard Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Week honors.
Pollard now ranks second on the team in points, averaging 10.2 per game. He continues to be the team's primary weapon on the glass, hauling in 8.3 boards a night.
Zion Styles remains atop the roster scoring just under 11 per contest, while Da'Shawn Phillip is just behind with 10.1 on average. Kevon Voyles has been one of the top options in the Hawk offense since returning from injury, averaging 12.7 points this season and ranking fourth in total points despite missing six games.
Ahamadou Fofana's distribution and playmaking have been critical for the Hawks as well. Fofana leads the team with 52 assists while adding just under seven points per night from the point guard position.
Scouting the Royals
The Royals enter Thursday night's matchup at 1-9 on the season after dropping their last six consecutive contests. Their lone victory came against Christendom College on December 2, claiming a 75-59 win over the Crusaders.
Regent has experience facing Division I talent this season, with games against Liberty, Hampton, Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State already under their belt.
The Royals are headlined by graduate guard Stanley Adjei, who leads the team in scoring (16.6 points per game) and shares the team-lead in rebounding (6.6 per). Freshman point guard Darrin Clark is the team's second-leading scorer, tallying just over 11 points a night.
Sophomore forward Joakim Marie-Joseph shares the top spot on the boards with Adjei, bringing down 6.6 rebounds per contest.
