PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Plenty of eyes will be on Burr Gymnasium on Monday evening when the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team faces off against the Howard University Bison in the nation's capital. Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m. as part of the usual men's and women's doubleheader.
The Hawks (14-9, 6-2 MEAC) suffered their first defeat since January 7, and to the same opponent. UMES rallied to overcome a nine-point deficit at halftime but ultimately fell to Norfolk State 76-73.
Meanwhile, the Bison (15-10, 7-1 MEAC) have won seven straight entering Monday's contest. Howard's lone league defeat came at the hands of the Hawks at William P. Hytche Athletic Center on January 9.
Checking on the Hawks
The Hawks were without their top conference scorer in Kevon Voyles on Saturday night. Voyles has averaged 13.4 points-per-game in his seven MEAC contests, shooting nearly 51 percent from the field and 37 percent from three.
Nathaniel Pollard Jr. has averaged a near double-double in league action, logging 12.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. Pollard earned his seventh career double-double on Saturday with 10 points and 12 boards.
Pollard has provided plenty of second chances for UMES this season, ranking atop the conference and seventh in Division I with 3.8 offensive rebounds per game. His six double-doubles this season ranks second in the MEAC behind only Morgan State's Malik Miller.
Zion Styles and Da'Shawn Phillip also average double-digit points, adding 11.6 and 10.5 points a night respectively. Styles has ranked second in rebounding (3.5 per) and has tied with Ahamadou Fofana for first in assists (22) over the eight games.
As of February 12, the Hawks hold the top spot in steals-per-game across the nation at 10.7. UMES also ranks fourth in Division I in turnovers forced per game at 18.3 and boasts a top-20 turnover margin (+4.1).
Scouting the Bison
Howard claimed their seventh straight in thrilling fashion, claiming an 86-85 overtime win over Delaware State in Dover.
Graduate guard Jelani Williams led the Bison with 19 points and 12 boards on the night. Redshirt junior forward Steve Settle III also double-doubled in the win with 11 and 11.
The Bison have been led by sophomore guard Marcus Dockery in MEAC play. Dockery averages nearly 15 points in the eight-game league span.
Elijah Hawkins ranks second on the team in league scoring at 12.8 points per night while averaging a team-high 8.1 assists per contest over the last eight games. Hawkins has 10 or more assists in three games in that stretch.
