Hawks struggle against No. 2 UConn
 

SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks were unable to keep pace with the No. 2 ranked Connecticut Huskies in a 99-45 loss on Saturday.
 
THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (2-8) – 45
No. 2 Connecticut Huskies (4-3) – 99

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
In the fifth consecutive road game, the Hawks opened Saturday night's scoring on an Evan Johnson layin but UConn quickly seized the first half momentum with a 13-0 run combined with a dominate 27 to 8 edge on the boards to take a 40-18 advantage by halftime. All nine UConn players who logged action in the first half scored while Liam McNeely paced the balanced scoring attack with nine points. Freshman Cardell Bailey led UMES offensively with six first half points.
 
The second half opened with the Huskies scoring the first eight points of the frame to push the lead to 30. Connecticut shot 66.7 percent (18-of-27) in the second half, swelling their lead to as many as 55 before cruising to the 99-45 win.


 
BY THE NUMBERS
 
The Hawks have faced three ranked opponents in a seven day span (No. 2 UConn, No. 19 Arkansas, No. 25 Illinois).
 
Ketron "KC" Shaw led all UMES with a game-high 18 points along with six rebounds. Liam McNeeley and Jaylin Stewart each finished with 16 points to lead UConn's balanced offensive attack.
 
UConn outrebounded UMES, 48-23.
 
The Huskies shot 54.2 percent (32-of-59) for the game and 37.0 percent (10-of-27) from 3-point range while the Hawks were 30.0 percent (15-50) from the field and 14.3 (2-14) from beyond the arc.
 
The Huskies also held a 42-20 advantage in the paint, a 17-3 edge in fast break points and out-scored the UMES bench 42-4
 
UMES has lost 24 straight road games.
 

 
COMMENTS FROM COACH CLEO HILL, JR
 
"We continue to emphasize rebounding. It has been a problem for us and we will use this week of practice to find ways to get better in that area."
 
"We were able to come together as a group through out this challenging road trip. Playing the highest level of basketball is good for us to see and grow from."
 
"I thought we had a higher level of energy tonight and I liked the effort against a nationally ranked program."
 
"KC (Shaw) showed a high level of leadership and character throughout the game. His leadership has been a tremendous help throughout this road trip."
 
 

 
NEXT UP

The Hawks travel to Longwood on Thursday at 7 pm in Farmville, Virginia.