The Short Story:  A hot start by the visiting Spartans saw the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team drop a MEAC contest on Monday evening at the Hytche Athletic Center. The Hawks fell to 10-12 overall and 3-4 in the MEAC with the 80-59 loss.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: Norfolk State 80, UMES 59
Location: Princess Anne, Md.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A combination of hot shooting from Norfolk State (70%) and relatively cool attempts by the Hawks (42.9%) saw the visitors from Virginia jump out to a 15-7 lead with 3:29 on the clock, forcing a UMES timeout. The teams played more even for the rest of the period with the Spartans taking a 20-11 lead into the second quarter.
• A quick 5-2 start to the second period saw NSU extend their lead to 25-13, at 7:41, as the Hawks took their second time out of the half. The Spartans' Diamond Johnson scored 14 of the visitors' 25 points to this point. With NSU leading 35-22 with 2:54 remaining in the half, the Spartans went on an 11-2 run to push their lead up to 46-24 as the teams headed to the locker room.
•  The start of the third was much more on the Hawks' side as Chaniqwa Gilliam made two three's and Zamara Haynes hit another. UMES had cut the NSU lead down to 17 with 4:04 left in the period, 52-35. A Spartan turnover and Ariana Seawell steal led to a Haynes layup at 2:06, cutting the lead down to just 12. However, the Spartans went on a 7-0 run over the final 1:39 to push their lead back up to 19 going into the final period.
• The fourth quarter was much more of a back and forth, but unfortunately in favor of the Spartans. NSU would extend their lead to the biggest of the game at 4:08, 75-52. UMES would match the Spartans the rest of the way as NSU held on for the 80-59 MEAC win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Both teams took 27 shots in the first half with NSU making 18 and UMES connecting on 10.
• Turnovers slowed the Hawk's offense as the home team committed 12 in the first 20 minutes of the game while the Spartans had just five.
• The Hawks were led by Haynes' 14 points and Mahogany Lester's six rebounds.
• Mya Thomas also reached double-figures with 10 points.
• Norfolk State was led by Johnson's 29 points and five rebounds.

UP NEXT

• Having played everyone in the MEAC once, the Hawks begin going through the conference again, beginning with a visit to Baltimore on Saturday, February 17 to take on Morgan State.
• Game time with the Bears is scheduled for 2 p.m.