SUMMARY:  The Hawks faded away down the stretch in a 72-61 loss at Howard on Saturday.
 
THE SCORE:
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (4-11; 1-2) – 61
Howard Bison (7-11; 2-1) – 72
Location: Burr Gymnasium | Washington, D.C.


HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawks and Howard traded baskets as the lead changed nine times in the first half along with six ties. Forward Troy Hupstead had an efficient 10 points to lead UMES in the first 20 minutes while Tyler Mack had six points. HU was paced by 10 points from Bryce Harris while Marcus Dockery had six points including two free throws late in the half to give the Bison a 31-29 lead at half.
 
Howard opened the second with a quick three-pointer and a dunk to go up by seven and outscored UMES, 17-11, through the first five minutes of the half to go up, 48-39, by the 14:26 mark.
 
The Bison took a double-digit lead, 58-48, with 8:53 to play on a Seth Towns three-point make.
 
Down by seven with 7 minutes to play, Hupstead converted on a putback while drawing the foul and making the free throw. UMES fought back to within one possession as Dionte Johnson came up with a steal and layin to bring the Hawks within three, 59-56, with 4:28 left.
 
The next two minutes of the game were taken over by Dockery as the guard knocked down two three pointers along with a pair of free throws to put the Bison up by 11 with 2:24 left. The Hawks were unable to fully recovery from Dockery's scoring stretch. An Antwan Wilson three pointer cut the Howard lead into single digits with 47 seconds left but that was as close as UMES would get as the Bison ran down the clock to the 11-point win.
  
BY THE NUMBERS
The Hawks shot 36 percent from the field while the Bison were 46 percent on the afternoon.

Troy Hupstead led the Hawks with 19 points and nine rebounds. Antwan Wilson and Tyler Mack each scored nine points in the loss.

Howard was led by 20 points and seven rebounds from Bryce Harris. Marcus Dockery had 17 points in the Bison win.
 
After leading 27-24 in the late stages of the first half, UMES was unable to recapture the lead at any point for the remainder of the game.
 
Troy Hupstead missed out on his seventh double-double of the year by one rebound. Hupstead is currently among the top rebounders in the nation and leads the MEAC with 8.8 rpg.
 
The Hawks are now 0-10 on the road this season.
 
 
COMMENTS FROM COACH JASON CRAFTON
"Howard did a good job down the stretch as they knocked down two big shots and came up with the stops when they needed. I thought we had some good looks near the basket but were unable to convert the shot."
 
"We continue to work on playing better and executing in the crucial moments of the game. We need to play smarter and be tougher as we continue conference play."
 
"I thought we had some good contributions off the bench tonight. Antwan Wilson, Kelechi Okworogwo and Israel Yaw gave us good minutes off the bench. Antwan was efficient offensively and we hope to see that consistency from our bench moving forward."

 
UP NEXT
The Hawks continue MEAC play at Delaware State next Saturday as part of a women's and men's double-header in Dover.