SUMMARY

The season long road struggles continued for the Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore in a 69-50 loss to the Spartans of Norfolk State on Monday night.
 
 
THE SCORE


Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (8-19; 3-10) – 50
Norfolk State Spartans (20-10; 10-3) - 69
 



HOW IT HAPPENED


The Hawks grabbed a six-point lead midway through the opening quarter, 23-17, after a Dionte Johnson three-pointer. A 13-2 run by NSU put the Spartans up 30-25. Troy Hupstead helped the Hawks narrow the deficit down to two by half, 32-30, with a layin and three-pointer to keep UMES within striking distance.

 
The UMES offense went cold in the second half. UMES scored just two field goals in the opening nine minutes of the half while the Spartans gradually built a 49-35 lead by the 9:36 mark. UMES never recovered as the Hawk turnover numbers krept up while the NSU lead ballooned to as many as 21 before the eventual 69-50 result.
 
 
 
 
BY THE NUMBERS

 
UMES was paced by a double-double from Troy Hupstead with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

 
The Hawks committed 19 turnovers in the loss.

 
After shooting 47.8% in the first half (11-23), UMES converted just 28.5% from the field in the second half (6-21).

 
The Hawks played the game without second leading scorer Devon Ellis.
 

With the loss, the Hawks finish the regular season without a win on the road (0-15).


The Hawks have one more conference game remaining this Thursday. The MEAC Tournament begins on March 13 in Norfolk, Virginia.


 
 
COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH JASON CRAFTON


"The guard play was the difference tonight. I thought Norfolk State came into the game with a great plan and they took advantage of our mistakes in the second half."
 
"I love how we competed in the first half against a top team in our conference. The turnovers and poor free throw shooting plagued us throughout the second half and we could not recover."
 
"I thought tonight's atmosphere was excellent and helps prepare us for the upcoming MEAC Tournament. We continue to focus on being ready for the tournament. We look forward to having our fans support us one last time at home this Thursday against Delaware State."
 


 
UP NEXT


The Hawks host Delaware State on Thursday at 8 pm.