SUMMARY
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore took early control in its 75-32 home win against Virginia University of Lynchburg behind an overwhelming team effort.
THE SCORE
Virginia University of Lynchburg (0-2) - 32
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (2-2) - 75
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks took the early lead on an Ashanti Lynch jumper, 49 seconds into the game. From that point on, UMES refused to relinquish its lead as it controlled the game for its entirety. Lynch led the Hawks through the first quarter in scoring with seven points with Zamara Haynes and Mahogany Lester each contributing four points. UMES also set the tone for the early, forcing 11 turnovers while coming away with a trio of steals.
The second quarter was much of the same for UMES as the Hawks dropped another 22 points against the Dragons. Lainey Allen and Kiarra Kennedy paced the Maroon and Grey through the quarter with six and five points each while continuing to force turnovers while taking away seven steals. UMES also took control of the boards through the quarter with an 8-3 advantage as Allen collected three rebounds.
UMES continued its control of the game into the second half as seven players put up points for the Hawks with Haynes leading the way with six points. Through the third quarter, UMES put up 40 points in the paint while taking a 55-26 lead into the final frame.
Wrapping up their win, the Hawks closed the fourth quarter with a 20-6 scoring advantage as seven Hawks scored. Amiaya Morgan led the scoring through the fourth quarter with a pair of three pointers with Brianna Barnes adding another four points.
BY THE NUMBERS
UMES led an overwhelming defensive effort by forcing 35 turnovers against the Dragons while collecting 21 steals and blocking six shots as a team. Nine players recorded a steal for the Hawks, and Haynes led the team with six. Amira Ofunniyin led the team with three blocks while Lesley Thomas recorded a pair.
The Hawk team worked extended minutes across the board as 12 players played double digit minutes through the game.
UMES is averaging 39.3 rebounds per game through four contests, so far. Against the Dragons, the Hawks pulled down 41 rebounds as a team while Ofunniyin and Kennedy paced the team with five apiece.
Through a concerted effort to distribute and move the ball around, the Hawks rounded the game out with nine assists as Jayla Butler led the way with four.
The Hawks improved on their season's shooting percentage, knocking down 47.4% of their shots through the game while going 27-57.
COMMENTS FROM HAWK HEAD COACH MALIKAH WILLIS
"Our focus all week had been on sharing the ball. I'm looking at the stats – it's not showing – but they're actually sharing the ball a lot more. And that equaled us scoring more points; and that's what I've been telling them, the more we share the ball, the more we're going to score points. It's translating onto the scoreboard right now."
"The focus and paying attention to details we're trying to translate onto the court from practice. We do it in practice and somehow aren't doing it in the games. At that point, the rotation is coming very quickly because we have to learn the details matter, the little things matter."
"It's the buy-in. (Zamara Haynes and Mahogany Lester) are two of our three captains. I know all three of our captains have bought in completely with our system. We know it's going to be a journey to get 15 players on the same page. But that's what that shows. The hustle, the 50-50 points, getting on the floor, rebounding, and the second and third efforts. That shows buy-in. They trust each other, and it shows. I love it. That's a stat not on the paper."
NEXT UP
The Hawks cap a four-game home stretch with a 7 p.m. game against Cheyney University of Pennsylvania on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Hytche Center.
