WASHINGTON, D.C. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore seemed like it was right in Monday's game at Howard early, but in a matter of minutes that all changed. The Bison shot 48% from the field and 67% (10-for-15) from behind the arc to pull away for an 80-59 victory at Burr Gymnasium.
"I appreciate the effort that they gave down the stretch because it was really one of those lopsided games," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "It was probably the best night for Howard and the worst night for us all at the same time. It was a perfect storm in the sense that while we struggled and fell apart, they seemed to play their best basketball game."
The Hawks (5-17, 1-7 MEAC) actually led 10-9 with 5:40 to go in the first quarter, but fortunes quickly turned. The Bison went on a 15-0 run over the next six minutes and led 24-12 moments into the second quarter. That lead pushed to 41-21, by the half and ballooned to as many as 37 points during the third quarter.
"They just played at another level," Batchelor said. "They hit shots and made it really difficult to get going on the offensive. We just continue to struggle to score and that put us on our heels all night."
The UMES reserves outscored the Howard bench in the fourth quarter 24-12, with redshirt junior Makayla Adams (Bowie, Maryland) putting up nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from behind the arc and grabbed a pair of boards in the period.
"I thought our reserves came in and salvaged playing with some pride and allowed us to walk out of there with our heads up a bit more, but it was a pretty lopsided game," Batchelor said. "I think the first half was a little bit about the execution, missed assignments probably combined with a bad game plan — because it didn't work. We all have to accept some responsibility for that one."
Freshman Ashanti Lynch (Hookerton, North Carolina) led the Hawks in scoring with 11 points to go with five rebounds an assist and two steals. Zamara Haynes (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) added 10 points, seven rebounds an assist and a steal.
UMES will next host South Carolina State on Saturday (Feb. 18) at 2 p.m.
