SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks dropped a Monday night MEAC contest to South Carolina State, 63-53.



THE SCORE


South Carolina State (6-14; 2-2) – 63
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (5-13; 1-4) - 53
Location: Hytche Center | Princess Anne, Maryland



HOW IT HAPPENED


The first half was a back and forth MEAC battle in the Hytche Center as the Bulldogs and Hawks traded the lead seven times. SCSU led by as many as six midway through the half before the Hawks used a 9-2 run to close out the first 20 minutes of play to take a 30-24 lead at intermission. UMES was effective getting to the line in the first half, making 10 of 15 free throws compared to the SCSU 1-for-5 performance.

 
Momentum turned in favor of the Bulldogs in the second halfmade seven of 11 field goals early in the second half and used a 19-4 run capped off by baskets from Wilson Dubinsky and Mitchell Taylor to take a 48-38 lead by the 11:30 mark. The Hawks, who were held scoreless for over four minutes during the SCSU run, broke their drought with a three pointer by Tyler Mack at the 10:48 mark to cut the deficit down to seven. SCSCU maintained a two possession lead with a 56-50 edge at the 3:29 mark. After a Bulldog timeout called by head coach Erik Martin, a bank shot by Michael Teal put the Bulldogs back up by eight. A free throw and a dunk by Israel Yaw brought the Hawks to within five with 2:14 to go.


UMES could not gather enough momentum offensively, going one for six from the field in the final two minutes of play. SCSU did their scoring from the line on their way to the 63-53 win.
 
 
 
 
BY THE NUMBERS
 

UMES made 17 of 50 shot attempts (34%) while SCSU was 24 of 54 from the field (44.4%).

 
Devon Ellis was the only Hawk to score in double-figures with 13 points.
 

Troy Hupstead, who leads the MEAC in rebounding, finished with 11 in the loss.

 
Michael Teal led the Bulldogs with 12 points. Davion Everett had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

 
The Bulldogs outscored the Hawks in the paint, 28-18.

 
SCSCU held a 30-13 edge in bench points.
 
 
 
 
COMMENTS FROM COACH JASON CRAFTON

 
"We had chances to build on our lead in the first half and did not take advantage. I thought South Carolina State was the tougher team in the second half and made the crucial plays on both ends of the floor to get the win. When you combine their style of play along with our inability to make shots from the outside, it made it tough for us down the stretch."
 
 
"With a week off in between games, we will focus on finding ways to be more efficient offensively. We have to be able to knock down shots against a zone defense and take care of the basketball."
 

"Our guard play has to be better. We have to find ways to play smarter and make better decisions in order to find ourselves on the winning side of these close games. Our schedule continues to present challenges for us and we have to be ready to play another tough MEAC opponent in Norfolk State on Monday."
 
 
 
 
UP NEXT


The Hawks host Norfolk State on Monday at 8 pm.