SUMMARY -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks took down one of the top teams in the MEAC on Monday with a 69-60 win over Norfolk State.

THE SCORE
Norfolk State (15-9; 5-2) – 60
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (6-14; 2-5) - 69
Location: Hytche Center | Princess Anne, Maryland

HOW IT HAPPENED
In a low scoring start to the first half, UMES trailed by seven early before cutting the lead down to two, 20-18, at the 4:58 mark. The Spartans built a 27-20 lead by the three minute mark before the Hawks went on a 8-0 run capped of by a Devon Ellis layup to end the half as the Hawks took a 28-27 lead at intermission.
 
UMES opened the second half scoring the first five points as Ellis threw down a fastbreak dunk to put the Hawks up 33-27.
 
Another 10-0 run by the Hawks sparked by a another dunk by Ellis and a three-pointer by Kelechi Okworogwo gave UMES it first double-digit lead of the night, 49-36, with 11:07 to play.
 
Maintain a double-digit lead, 56-46, with under 5 minutes to play, UMES held NSU to just one field goal over the next three minutes. The Hawks stretched the lead to as many as fourteen with free throws from Troy Hupstead and Ellis and eventually cruised to the nine-point victory.
  
BY THE NUMBERS
The win by the Hawks was the first over Norfolk State since 2016. The win also broke a 10-game losing streak to the Spartans.

Ellis led all players with 20 points while making eight of 10 field goals.
 
Hupstead, who leads the MEAC in rebounding, picked up his sixth double-double of the year with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Hupstead was also an impressive eight-for-eight from the free throw line.
 
The Spartans had a pair of 16-point performances from Tyrel Bladen and Jamarii Thomas. Allen Betrand finished with 13 points.
 
The Hawks made 22-of-30 free throws compared to NSU's 8-of-16 performance from the line. UMES also won the rebounding battle, 41 to 36, and held a 14 to 8 edge in second chance points.
 
After taking the lead to end the first half, the Hawks never trailed for the remainder of the evening.
 
NSU entered Monday tied for the lead in the MEAC standings.
 
 
COMMENTS FROM COACH JASON CRAFTON
"We don't like to lose at home. The desire and passion to win the game was there and we made a few more plays than NSU did to ultimately win the game."
 
"I thought we were aggressive tonight. We outrebounded them tonight and earned a big time win against a quality opponent."
 
"We take pride in playing at home and appreciate our fans for their support tonight. The goal is to take this on the road and find ways to play well for forty minutes in every game."

"Tonight was an excellent win and now it is time to keep getting better. We want to be a program that is on an upward trajectory as we prepare for the final stretch of the season."
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks host Bryn Athyn in a non-conference matchup on Saturday at 4 pm.