PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team nearly made lightning strike twice, ripping off a furious comeback late in the second half but ultimately failing to steal the victory from the Eagles in a 68-63 loss.
The Hawks (15-11, 7-4 MEAC) went into the intermission trailing 30-23 and saw the Eagles (14-11, 7-4 MEAC) grow the lead to as much as 19 in the second half.
With 2:53 remaining, two free throws gave N.C. Central a 58-43 advantage. Then, in an eerily similar fashion to the January 23 go-around, the Hawk comeback began.
By the two-minute mark, four points from Zion Styles and a key basket from Troy Hupstead had the margin down to nine. When NCCU's Justin Wright scored to stretch the lead back to 11, Tuka Nugent immediately responded with a layup of his own and Zion Styles ripped the inbound away, cashing in a lay-in of his own.
With the lead down to seven, a Hawk foul put the Eagles at the line for two shots. NCCU made only one, and Da'Shawn Phillip promptly connected on a corner three. Styles again dislodged the ball from an Eagle on the inbound play and powered down the lane for an easy dunk, slicing N.C. Central's lead to 61-58 with 44 seconds to go.
The Hawks were unable to pull within three down the stretch, and NCCU sank key free throws to secure the win.
Styles finished with a game and career-high 22 points, shooting 8 of 12 from the field and hitting three from range. His four steals were essential to the UMES comeback bid as well.
Phillip closed the evening with 13 points, also hitting three from beyond the arc while adding pairs of rebounds and steals. Chace Davis added 10 points and two boards with a block and a steal as well.
Nathaniel Pollard Jr. posted eight points, five rebounds, three steals and a block on the night. Fellow forward Hupstead totaled six points, four boards and a pair of assists.
The Hawks shot 25 of 59 (42.4 percent) from the field and around 21 percent from three in the contest. They sank seven of their eight looks from the stripe as well.
UMES collected 12 steals and forced 22 Eagle turnovers, but they also turned the ball over 19 times in their own right.
"While the comeback effort was incredible, we lost the game with our turnovers," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said. "We have to tighten that dynamic up ASAP. Big few days of practice ahead as we prepare for Coppin."
The squad will look to tune up in those coming days before making the short trip to Baltimore on Saturday, February 25 to battle Coppin State. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will follow the contest between the women's sides.
