SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks were edged by the Morgan State Bears, 70-65, in MEAC action on Saturday.


 
THE SCORE


Coppin State Eagles (2-21; 1-8) - 67
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (8-15; 3-6) - 75
 



HOW IT HAPPENED



In a rematch of last month's overtime battle in Baltimore, the Hawks and Eagles appeared to be in another defensive battle early on as both team's stifled each other's offensive attack with CSU managing a 12-7 edge by the 12 minute mark of the first half.

 
A 12-2 run sparked by scoring from Troy Hupstead and Elijah Wilson helped the Hawks gain momentum with a 29-23 lead with 3:38 left in the half. Hupstead ended the half making six of his last seven shots as the Hawks took a 39-33 lead.


Hupstead and Wilson combined for 28 of the Hawks 39 points in the half while Justin Winston had 13 points for the Eagles to help keep them within striking distance.

 
The Eagles cut the deficit down to four in the early stages of the second half. Israel Yaw provided a spark off the bench for the Hawks with back-to-back baskets to help UMES up the lead to double digits, 55-45, by the 11:41 mark.

 
UMES extended their lead to as many as 14 as a Wilson three-pointer gave the Hawks a 53-49 lead by the 8:41 mark. The Hawks maintained a double digit lead going into the final media timeout, 68-56, with 3:47 to go.

 
A Coppin State three pointer out of the timeout cut the deficit down to nine, 68-59. Malik Battle hit another three at the 1:48 mark to bring the Eagles with seven before an off balanced bank shot by Troy Hupstead from three point range went in as the shot clock expired to put the Hawks up by 10. A Dionte Johnson layin with 40 seconds to give UMES a 12 point cushion. The Eagles added two late baskets to bring the final margin to eight.
 

 
BY THE NUMBERS

 
The Hawks avenged a overtime loss to Coppin State from last month.

 
UMES is 8-3 at home this season.

 
Troy Hupstead led UMES with 22 points. Elijah Wilson finished with a season-high 19 points which included a 9-for-10 performance from the free throw line along with four steals. Toby Nnadozie added 10 points.

 
UMES forced 20 turnovers and recorded a season-high 13 steals in the victory.

 
UMES held a 32-14 edge in points off turnovers.

 
UMES overcame a game-high 28 points from CSU's Justin Winston.

 
 
 
COMMENTS FROM COACH JASON CRAFTON
 
 
"We did an excellent job of rebounding the ball and did a good job of converting from the line. I thought we did a better job of taking care of the basketball and limiting turnovers in the second half on the way to a big conference victory."
 

"Elijah was aggressive tonight. He was able to make shots and get to the line. I also liked the way he played defensively and stepped up with four steals."

 
"Troy Hupstead was active throughout the game. He was solid from the inside to the perimeter. He played 31 minutes tonight and gave us everything we had."

 
"The MEAC is a tough conference. Coppin plays good team defense and has some guys who can create for themselves on the offensive end of the floor. Every team has the ability to win so for us to earn a quality victory tonight is big for us. We turn our focus towards another tough test on the road at North Carolina Central this Saturday."
 
 
 
 
 
UP NEXT


The Hawks continue MEAC play on the road on Saturday at North Carolina Central.