PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team concludes its regular season on Thursday, March 2, traveling to face Route 13 rival Delaware State in Dover for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
The Hawks (16-12, 8-5 MEAC) hold the fourth spot in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings prior to the final game of the regular season. The Hornets (6-22, 4-9 MEAC) rank sixth ahead of Coppin and South Carolina State.
Checking on the Hawks
The Hawks celebrated their eight seniors and graduate students before Monday night's contest against Morgan State. Among those recognized were seniors Kohen Thompson, Jojo Anderson, Kevon Voyles and Da'Shawn Phillip and fifth-years Ahamadou Fofana, Tuka Nugent, Nathaniel Pollard Jr. and Zion Styles.
UMES has been shorthanded in the second leg of conference play, leading to some close losses as of late. After going 6-1 against the seven conference foes in January, the Hawks finished February with a 2-4 record against their league opponents.
Averaging just under 13 points in conference play, Styles has been a catalyst for the Hawk offense. It was the Uniondale, New York native that led the UMES attack in their 68-66 victory over Delaware State at home on January 14, dropping 15 points and sinking three of his five shots from beyond the arc in the win.
Pollard, the Hawks leading rebounder, led the glass-cleaning effort against the Hornets earlier this year as well. He double-doubled, scoring 10 points while hauling in 12 rebounds. His rebounding was essential for the Hawks, who collected just 19 total rebounds in the contest.
Phillip and Nugent also reached double-digit scoring figures on that night. In the six games since the second half of MEAC play began on February 11, the two have combined for nine double-digit performances and at least one of the pair has reached double figures in all six.
Scouting the Hornets
The Delaware State men's basketball team has turned its season around a bit since they last clashed with the Hawks.
The Hornets held a 1-14 record when these teams last faced on January 14. Since that loss, Delaware State has nearly split their schedule, going 5-7 over their last 12 contests.
Among that stretch are wins over conference opponents South Carolina State (twice), Morgan State and Coppin State as well as a victory against Chicago State at Memorial Hall.
Junior guard Martaz Robinson has been essential in Delaware State's recent stretch. He saw his scoring average catapult from just under 12 points a night to nearly 17 points per game in league competition. He also leads Delaware State in rebounding (6.2) and steals (29) in conference.
Robinson is the only Hornet averaging double-digits in conference play, though seniors O'Koye Parker and Brandon Stone each put up over nine per game. The 6'11" Stone has missed some time for the hosts, last suiting up for the Hornets on February 18 against North Carolina Central.
The men's contest will tip 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women's matchup between the two schools as part of the usual conference doubleheader.
