SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore continued to rely on a collective effort to overcome and take another win, 67-42, against visiting the Cheyney Wolves.

THE SCORE

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (4-5) - 42

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (3-2) - 67

HOW IT HAPPENED

UMES took control early in the game, scoring the first six points unanswered. Though Cheyney was able to get on the board, the Hawks limited the Wolves to three points. Meanwhile, UMES took a 20-3 lead with eight players scoring for the Hawks. Zamara Haynes led UMES with four points while Kiarra Kennedy knocked down a three-pointer.

Each side traded points through the second quarter as the Hawks held a 14-12 through the frame to take a 34-15 lead into the half. Lainey Allen kept a hot hand through the quarter as she scored four of her six first half points in the second quarter. Allen and Mahogany Lester also took leading roles in the paint with the duo combining for 11 rebounds through the first half. Brianna Barnes also sparked the offense with five points in the second quarter to give her seven for the half.

The third quarter saw the Hawks open up their lead even more as they took a 19-12 advantage. Barnes continued to drive the paint as she scored another six points while Ashanti Lynch also kicked in four points to take a 53-27 lead into the final quarter.

Cheyney and the Hawks split the fourth quarter relatively evenly as the Wolves held a 15-14 scoring advantage in the frame. Allen closed out the final frame with seven points while also pulling down another four rebounds.

BY THE NUMBERS

UMES opened the game going 9-19 (47.7%) from the floor, though the Hawks topped that shooting percentage mark in the third by going 7-10 (70%) while hitting all four free throw attempts.

Allen led the Hawks with nine rebounds while Lester followed up with seven. Kennedy and Barnes also added five more apiece.

The Hawks remained active on the boards with 44 rebounds, tying their season high. UMES has held a rebound advantage in all five games through the season.

After three games of single digit assists, the Hawks worked the passing lanes against the Wolves, notching 12 assists.

Barnes and Allen each scored their season highs against the Wolves with 17 and 15 points, respectively.

UMES also kept up an active defensive effort, forcing 19 turnovers while grabbing 14 steals. Lynch and Lester led the way with three each while Haynes and Barnes also collected a pair of steals.

COMMENTS FROM HAWK HEAD COACH MALIKAH WILLIS

"I think we shared the ball a lot more today. We had 12 assists, should have been a lot higher. But that's a work in progress. They're doing the little things we are asking for as a staff, and I'm very happy with our assists today."

"It was important to bring a staff together that played on a high level and operate on a high level. All of my coaches, assistant coaches and grad assistants.Adria Crawford played at Georgetown, Capree Garner played at UMBC and then my grad assistant played at Oklahoma State and Eastern Michigan. They're in here getting them on the court working hard, getting them in the film rooms, showing them how to win."

"When we're in the open court, we look to push the ball and attack the rim. I think we did a good job of that. We also have to turn people over to get to that point. It works hand-in-hand with the defense."

"We talk a lot about being consistent and playing off of our mistakes we were making the day before. Every day we're getting better. Next week, I just need to see them staying active, staying level and getting better. No steps back. We're sharing the ball, we need to shoot it a little better, but we're rebounding. Those things need to stay consistent with the tougher competition."


NEXT UP

The Hawks go on the road for four games with the Music City Classic first up in Nashville with a game against Dayton on Monday followed by a contest against Illinois.