SUMMARY

The road struggles continued for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks in Saturday's road loss to North Carolina Central, 88-55.
 
THE SCORE


Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (8-16; 3-7) – 55
North Carolina Central Eagles (14-11; 6-4) - 88
 



HOW IT HAPPENED
 
NCCU began the game with a 7-0 run.
Struggling with turnovers and shooting, UMES broke into double digits with under 12 minutes remaining in the first half. NC Central took the lead at the half, 42-28, with 12 points off 10 Hawk turnovers. NCCU shot 48.6 percent in the first 20 minutes.
Each team traded points to open the second half. NCCU would break the lead open to 21 points before the 16-minute media timeout. With UMES' Elijah Wilson knocking down all of his free throws after being fouled beyond the arc, the Hawks wouldn't score again for over five minutes as the Eagles stretched the score 68-42.
The NC Central lead would grow to 35 points as the Eagles cruised to the conference win.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
 
Saturday's loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Hawks at NC Central.
 
UMES remains winless on the road this season.
 
UMES forward Troy Hupstead recorded his sixth double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Hupstead currently leads the MEAC in rebounding this season.
 
Devon Ellis added 14 points for the Hawks while Damani Claxton finished with 10 points in the loss.
 
UMES committed 17 turnovers and were outrebounded 46 to 32.
 
Keishon Porter led a balanced NC Central offense with 22 points and seven rebounds.
 
 

COMMENTS FROM COACH JASON CRAFTON
 
 
"We had a combination of turnovers, missed open shots and poor defensive stints in tonight's loss."
 
"We have to do a better job of making the right decisions on offense. NC Central did a good job with their pressure and forced us into some bad turnovers."
 
"We have a quick turnaround to prepare for another tough MEAC road game at South Carolina State."
 
 
 
 
 
UP NEXT


The Hawks continue MEAC play on the road on Monday night at South Carolina Central.