NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team asserted their will on Morgan State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal on Thursday (March 9), leaving the Scope with an 80-64 victory.
Thursday's win was just the fourth in program history over Morgan State in the tournament and the first since 2000. The Hawks advance to face top-seeded Howard University on Friday (March 10). Tip for the contest is slated for 6 p.m.
"We're proud to get this program out of the first round, but we're not done yet," Hawks coach Jason Crafton said.
The Hawks controlled the opening minutes of the contest. UMES scored the first three points en route to a 17-4 run over the first 5:30 of the half.
Morgan responded with eight straight to close the margin to five before UMES dropped in back to back baskets. The teams traded scores over the next three minutes, with the Hawks leading 28-22 with 7:13 left in the period.
15 seconds later, a driving slam from Zion Styles kick started another run for UMES. The Hawks would score eight straight over the next minute to grow their advantage to 14.
The teams split the final 5:28 of the half, with each squad adding 10 to their tally before the intermission. With 20 minutes gone, UMES held a 46-35 advantage.
The Hawk defense persisted throughout the second half. Morgan brought the game within six twice in the first five minutes of the period, but UMES forced stops when they needed them and responded with quick scoring runs.
Morgan sliced the deficit to nine points, but four straight from the fourth-seeded Hawks established a 64-51 lead with 12:15 to play. The Hawks did not give the Bears an inch, refusing to let the Bears come within seven points down the stretch and closing the contest on a 10-2 run.
Styles scored a game-high 19 points, making five of his seven shots with pairs of rebounds and assists. Nathaniel Pollard Jr. nearly earned his seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points and nine boards and adding four steals and a block.
"Zion was tremendous scoring the ball and drawing fouls," Crafton said. "Nate was all over the place defensively, got to the free throw line and went 7-for-8."
Kevon Voyles and Troy Hupstead each added 11 off the Hawk bench. The former also grabbed trios of rebounds and steals, while the latter added two boards and two blocks.
Chace Davis finished with nine points and three rebounds, and fellow backcourt member Tuka Nugent added eight points, five boards and three pickpockets.
Da'Shawn Phillip added six points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists, and Ahamadou Fofana collected three assists and three boards in his return from injury.
The Hawks lived up to their expectations defensively, nabbing 14 steals and forcing 23 turnovers on the night. 26 of the Hawks 80 points came off turnovers.
"We forced 23 turnovers tonight, that gave us a lot of opportunities to get transition baskets that we weren't able to produce last week at home," Crafton said. "I was proud of how we rebounded the basketball and how we defended."
UMES shot the ball efficiently as well, shooting 29-of-55 (52.7 percent) in the win.
Friday's contest against Howard will be available to stream on ESPN+.
