SUMMARY
PISCATAWAY, New Jersey – Though the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (4-4) kept a tight game from the second quarter through the final whistle, the Hawks were unable to overcome an explosive first quarter from Georgia Southern (5-1) in a 58-47 loss at the Battle on the Banks tournament.
THE SCORE
Georgia Southern (5-1) - 58
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (4-4) - 47
HOW IT HAPPENED
Georgia Southern was able to jump out to an early lead that it refused to relinquish through the first quarter. UMES turned the ball over 11 times in the first quarter while managing 11 points to the Eagles' 21. Lainey Allen paced the Hawks with five of her seven first half points through the first quarter.
The second quarter was a close, but low-scoring period with the Eagles holding a 8-7 advantage to take 29-18 lead into the half. Allen and Ashanti Lynch also helped take control of the paint with four rebounds apiece in the half.
The third and fourth quarters remained close as neither side relented, pulling even with 29 points apiece through the second half. Ce'nara Skanes, playing in her first game of the season, paced the Hawks with eight points in the half while Mahogany Lester and Lynch each knocked down another seven points. Skanes also helped the Hawks remain active on the boards as she pulled down six rebounds with Lynch grabbing another five.
BY THE NUMBERS
Lainey Allen led the Hawks in scoring with 12 points while pulling down another seven rebounds. For the season Allen is averaging 6.4 points per game and 5.9 rebounds.
Despite the loss, the Hawks held down ownership of the paint with a 44-36 rebound advantage. For the season, UMES holds a 328-258 rebound advantage against all opponents.
Mahogany Lester scored in the double digits for the second straight game with 11 while also pulling down five rebounds while dishing out a pair of assists.
In her first action of the season, Ce'nara Skanes put up eight points to go along with seven rebounds in 11 minutes of action.
The Hawks out shot Georgia Southern from the field, hitting on 18 of 49 to the Eagles' 18-54. However, the Eagles hit six threes to the Hawks' one while Georgia Southern also knocked down 16 free throws while UMES hit on 10.
COMMENTS FROM HAWK HEAD COACH MALIKAH WILLIS
Reflection on game
"I thought we came out slow. We're on our third game this week and we've been trying to alleviate this reality that's happening. We came out slow, legs were tired and we waited too long to snap into it and get into the game."
Getting out to a faster start
"It's leadership. We're changing the lineup because of the slow starts. And we keep harping on it. It has to come from within. We've been talking about it with our players for awhile. It's just going to be accountability at this point."
Team responding to lineup changes
"I saw toughness. We're still searching for that point guard position, for someone to step up right there. We changed the three and the five position, and I think they played well. (Dakieran) need to stay out of foul trouble, but she's physical, she's a presence for us and we'll roll with her."
Skanes' first game of the season
"Scary times. Skanes is here for a reason. She makes a difference and stretches the floor. Come January, we're going to be leaning on her a lot. It's her first game back, and she's on load management. But that's what she does. She's a leading double-double machine at her old school, and she almost did it tonight in 11 minutes. It's easy for her and we need it."
Entering game against Marquette
"We're talking a lot about listening to the game plan and executing it, dictating the defense to turn it into offense. We're just harping on those things. We need five people listening at a time and it's hard. Listening means you have to be accountable at this point. It's easy to say you didn't hear it or make an excuse, but it's getting to the point that they're starting to realize it makes a difference. We'll see what happens."
NEXT UP
The Hawks continue play in New Brunswick, New Jersey, with a 4:30 p.m. game against Marquette to wrap up play in the Battle on the Banks tournament.
