PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team dropped its home contest against Morgan State on Monday, February 27 by a 68-61 final.

The Hawks (16-12, 8-5 MEAC) drop to fourth in the league standings, while the Bears (15-14, 7-6 MEAC) hold their ground in fifth.

Morgan State put pressure on UMES early in the contest, scoring the first six points of the matchup before the Hawks dropped in eight in a row to take the lead. The sides traded the next two baskets before the Bears put together a 9-0 run to jump ahead by eight.

The Hawks scratched and clawed at the first-half deficit, eventually retaking the lead 33-31 with 90 seconds left in the half. The Bears would go into the locker room with a 39-35 advantage.

The second half told a similar story. UMES got the Morgan lead down to one in the first couple minutes, but an 11-0 Bears stretch put them in front 52-40 with 14:26 left in the contest.

A 10-0 run for the good guys once again brought the game within one, 55-54 with 6:12 to go. Key buckets for the Bears late helped secure their win.

Da'Shawn Phillip showed out on senior night, scoring a team-high 17 points while adding five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Zion Styles was close behind, scoring 14 with four boards, four assists and a trio of pickpockets.

The Hawks honored their eight seniors and graduate students on the night. In addition to Phillip and Styles, the team recognized Kohen Thompson, Jojo Anderson, Kevon Voyles, Ahamadou Fofana, Tuka Nugent, and Nathaniel Pollard Jr.

Thursday serves as the Hawks final game before the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament, when the team travels to Dover to battle Delaware State at 7:30 p.m.