SUMMARY: 


The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks' comeback attempt in the second half fell short in a eventual 65-57 loss to North Carolina Central on Saturday.



THE SCORE:


North Carolina Central (11-8; 3-1) – 65
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (5-13; 1-4) - 57
Location: Hytche Center | Princess Anne, Maryland

 

HOW IT HAPPENED


The Hawks fell behind by as many as 20 in the first half. NC Central used an 11-0 scoring run led by the scoring of Po'Boigh King and Ja'Darius Harris to take a 47-27 lead at the break. King scored 10 points while Harris had nine to lead a balanced Eagle offensive attack that made 15-of-31 field goals including seven makes from beyond the arc. The Eagles also did a good job of taking care of the basketball in the first 20 minutes with three turnovers compared to eight Hawk giveaways.

 
Elijah Wilson was a bright spot for UMES in the first with nine points making all three three-pointers he attempted.

 
The Hawks picked up their defensive efforts early in the second half by holding the Eagles scoreless through the first four minutes of play while going on a 7-0 run.

 
After a driving layin by Damani Claxton and another three-pointer by Wilson brought UMES within twelve, 54-42, by the 11:35 mark. Following the media timeout, baskets by Kelechi Okworgwo and Wilson cut the lead down to 54-46. A Okworogwo thrown down at 8:36 brought UMES to within six with just over five minutes to play. NC Central built the lead back up to nine by the 3:17 mark as the Hawk offense went scoreless for nearly three minutes of play.

 
UMES did not make a field goal until a Devon Ellis basket with 38 seconds to go brought the Hawks back within six, 61-55. Ja'Darius Harris knocked down two free throws late as the Hawks' comeback attempt fell short in a 65-57 loss.
 
 
 
 
BY THE NUMBERS

 
The Hawks are now 5-2 at home this season.

 
Ja'Darius Harris led NCCU with a game-high 21 points. Po'Boigh King had 12 points and eight rebounds.

 
Elijah Wilson came off the bench to lead the Hawk scoring with 15 points while Devon Ellis had 13 points. Troy Hupstead finished with 12 points and six rebounds.

 
After surrendering seven three pointers in the first half, the Hawks gave up just one made three-pointer in the second half.

 
UMES was a season low 3 for 17 from three-point range (.176).

 
NC Central held a 13-3 edge in second chance points.
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMMENTS FROM COACH JASON CRAFTON

 
"We have to be better of knocking down open shots and taking care of the basketball. I thought our decision making in the crucial moments of the game was not good tonight."

 
"I thought we did a better job of adjusting our defense in the second half which helped us get back into the game."
 

"We struggled against their zone down the stretch and couldn't make the shots we needed to make to complete the comeback."

 
"We have to be better as we prepare for South Carolina State on Monday. Our guard play has to improve. I think our bench gave us some positive play tonight and we will need it again against a very good SC State team."
 
 
 
 
UP NEXT


The Hawks host South Carolina State on Monday at 8 pm.