PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore welcomes Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference No. 2 Norfolk State on Saturday (Feb. 11) at 2 p.m. for a rematch of the Hawks' conference opening loss. In that defensive battle, the two teams combined for just 77 total points as UMES fell 43-34 in Norfolk, Virginia.
"They are a talented, experienced team with probably two of the best guards in the league and a post who is a newcomer who has made an impact," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "We have had some success competing against them. It's just that we haven't taken advantage of our opportunities. And against a team like that, you have to take advantage of your opportunities because you don't get many."
The Spartans (17-5, 5-2 MEAC) are No. 1 in the conference in points allowed per game at just 51.7. They are holding opponents to just 31% from the field and averaging more than 40 rebounds per contest.
"We have been focusing on how we take advantage of the opportunities that we get and capitalize off of them," Batchelor said. "The biggest thing for us is learning how to win those games when they are in the balance. That is whether it is in the first quarter or the fourth quarter and each in between We just haven't quite gotten a grasp of that, but I think the fact that we have identified that is the beginning of us understanding what we need to do."
The Hawks (5-15, 1-5 MEAC) will be without redshirt junior Mahogany Lester (Virginia Beach, Virginia), who will miss the contest with an injury. That will necessitate the move of sophomore Ariana Seawell (The Bronx, New York) back into the starting lineup even though she has been thriving after coming off the bench for the last three games where she has averaged 19 points and 9.7 rebounds.
"She has been playing great off the bench," Batchelor said. "But I didn't see any other option right now. I don't think we can afford to start the game without another scorer on the floor."
Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. as part of a men's and women's doubleheader. Tickets are $15 per double header date and can be purchased in advance at easternshoretickets.com or at the door.
