PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team looks to bounce back from a pair of league losses on Saturday (February 18), hosting South Carolina State in the second game of the conference double-header scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Hawks (14-10, 6-3 MEAC) have endured their first losing streak since early December, when the team dropped road games at George Mason and Duke. UMES currently holds the third spot in the MEAC standings.
The Bulldogs (5-20, 2-7 MEAC) make the trip to Princess Anne as winners of two straight, knocking off Coppin and Morgan last weekend. Prior to the two wins, S.C. State was 0-7 in conference action.
Checking on the Hawks
While the Hawks will welcome the return to their home floor over the weekend, they will have to do so with a few less players than usual.
"It's always great to be back at home," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "Looking forward to seeing different players step up as we currently have a shortened roster."
Voyles has averaged the most points this season (12.9), but Zion Styles retains his place as the overall scoring leader for the Hawks both overall and in conference play. The graduate guard averages a shade over 11 points per night while ranking first on the team in steals (42) and second in rebounding (3.4 per).
Da'Shawn Phillip and Nathaniel Pollard Jr. rank second and third in scoring on the season and have each found a new gear in the league. Pollard averages 11.7 points and 9.7 boards a night against MEAC opponents and Phillip's average has ticked up to 10.6 points while leading the squad in minutes per night (30.3) in the nine-game sample size.
Tuka Nugent has stepped up as one of the key pieces off the Hawk bench. His scoring average has risen nearly two full points in conference to 8.0 points a night, the best against MEAC opponents aside from the players above.
Through February 17, the Hawks sit atop the steals-per-game throne, ranking #1 in the nation at 10.7 pickpockets a night. Crafton's defense has forced the fourth-most turnovers per night in the nation (18.3), helping UMES boast the 21st-ranked turnover margin in Division I (+3.8).
Scouting the Bulldogs
The first of S.C. State's two conference wins last weekend was a 94-84 final over the Eagles on Saturday, February 11. Redshirt sophomore forward Latavian Lawrence had a breakout night, cashing in 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting.
The latter, a 74-62 win over the Bears, saw four Bulldogs reach double-digit scoring figures and a favorable 45-32 rebounding margin in the win. Junior forward Justin Wilson's 13-point effort led the team.
Junior guard Rakeim Gary has served as the Bulldog catalyst in MEAC play. Gary has averaged a team-high 12.9 points and three assists per game in the eight-game span.
S.C. State's recent success on the glass has been a team effort. No Bulldog averages over five rebounds a night in conference play, but four different players carry averages of at least four per game, and the squad ranks sixth in the nation in offensive boards per game (13.6 per).
"S.C. State is a high-octane team that wants to play fast and does a great job crashing the offensive glass," Crafton said. "Rebounding and transition defense will be important."
Saturday's contest will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game as part of the usual conference doubleheader. To purchase tickets online, visit www.easternshorehawks.com.
