PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team hosts Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Norfolk State University on Saturday, February 11 at William P. Hytche Athletic Center. The contest is slated for a 4 p.m. tip, but will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game at 2 p.m.
The Hawks (14-8, 6-1 MEAC) get their second shot at the Spartans after dropping the January 7 matchup in Norfolk, Virginia. The team has won seven straight since that contest and remains undefeated on their home floor at 9-0 on the season.
The Spartans (16-7, 5-2 MEAC) have fared well overall in league action, with their two conference defeats coming against Howard by two and Morgan State by six. They make the trip to Princess Anne as winners of three straight, including a win over Hampton in the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic.
Checking on the Hawks
Saturday poses the Hawks their first conference challenge since knocking off Morgan State on January 30.
It's been over a week since UMES defeated Regent University on their home floor, claiming an 89-41 win on February 2. Four Hawks posted double-digit scoring nights, with Kevon Voyles scoring a team-high 16 points.
Chace Davis added 15 points in just 13 minutes and collected three steals. Zion Styles also swiped three possessions for the Hawks and scored 13 points.
Toby Nnadozie poured in 12 points in 16 minutes, both career marks for the freshman. The performance earned Nnadozie MEAC Rookie of the Week honors, the first conference award of his career.
Voyles has been the top scoring threat for the Hawks in conference play averaging 13.4 points per game. In the seven-game span, Voyles is shooting a shade over 50 percent from the floor.
Nathaniel Pollard Jr. is nearly averaging a double-double in MEAC play, averaging 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per league game. Zion Styles ranks third in scoring in league play, adding 11.9 points on average.
Four Hawks have swiped double-digit steals thus far in conference play, with Tuka Nugent leading the charge at 14 and Styles just behind at 13. Da'Shawn Phillip has stolen 11 possessions in the stretch while Voyles has logged 10.
UMES boasts the top scoring defense in the MEAC, allowing a stingy 65.9 points per night. As of February 9, the Hawks rank first in the nation in steals-per-game at 10.8 on average.
They also hold fourth-place in Division I in turnovers forced per-game at 18.3 and have a top-20 turnover margin in the country (+4.1).
Scouting the Spartans
Norfolk State holds the second-ranked scoring offense in the conference, averaging 76.3 points. The Spartans also rank third in the MEAC in scoring defense allowing a hair over 69 points per contest.
Joe Bryant Jr. remains the top scorer for the Spartans. The fifth-year guard has averaged around 18 points a night in league play while bringing down nearly five boards per contest and averaging over four assists each night.
Graduate forward Kris Bankston serves as the primary Spartan threat inside, sitting second on the team in scoring and boasting the fourth-highest field goal percentage in Division I at 68.4 percent.
Redshirt senior forward Dana Tate has had the hot hand for Norfolk of late, scoring 21 points in three consecutive contests.
"Excited to get back to action after a long break," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "Norfolk is playing really good basketball. We will need to be aggressive and sharp in our execution while striving to defend our home court."
Tickets for Saturday's doubleheader can be purchased at the door or online at http://bit.ly/3lj43Lb.
