SUMMARY

NORFOLK, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore opened MEAC play by pushing the limits of the hosting Norfolk State Spartans. Though the Hawks kept the game tight through the first half, the second went the way of the Spartans as UMES lost 72-54.

THE SCORE

Norfolk State Spartans (13-4, 1-0 MEAC) - 72

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (5-11, 0-1) - 54

HOW IT HAPPENED

The game got off to a quick start with both sides combining to hit the first three shot attempts as the Spartans took an early 5-2 lead. Play leveled out from there as each side tested the limits of their opponent before each side found their way to the rim in the six-minute mark as both sides traded buckets. The Hawks dropped four more points courtesy of Brianna Barnes and Zamara Haynes to pull the Hawks within one as Norfolk State maintained a 16-15 lead after one quarter. Haynes led the scoring effort for the Hawks in the first with six points.

Neither side relented through the second quarter as the frame played out much the same way as the first. The Hawks pushed the envelope to begin the quarter with the first six points as Haynes, Ashanti Lynch and Ce'nara Skanes scored on layups to take a 21-16 lead through the first three minutes of the frame. However, the Spartans managed the next seven points before each side began to trade buckets through the remainder of the half while Dakieran Turner led the Hawks' scoring efforts with five points as each side scored 13 points as Norfolk State took a narrow 29-28 lead into the halftime break.

After the halftime break the game continued its same trajectory as neither side gave ground for the first several minutes before Norfolk State finally pulled away in the final three minutes on a 6-2 run as the Hawks trailed 45-38 entering the final quarter. Skanes and Turner each knocked down four points in the quarter to help the Hawks keep within striking distance.

While both sides scored more points in the fourth quarter than either had in the first three, the penultimate frame went to Norfolk State as the Hawks trailed 16-27 for the quarter. Skanes put up the first points of the fourth, but Norfolk State managed a 7-0 scoring streak in the second minute of the quarter to extend the Spartans' lead to 52-40. UMES battled back with Lainey Allen and Turner finding their way to the basket midway through the quarter, but the Spartans were able to extend their lead with another 7-0 run after Turner's final score. The Hawks went on a 6-0 run in the final minute of the game, but could not overcome the then-24-point differential before time expired.

BY THE NUMBERS

For only the third time this season, the Hawks fell behind in rebounding as the Spartans held a 41-30 advantage on the boards. For the season, UMES still holds a rebounding 624-552.

Turner led the Hawks in scoring for a second straight game with 11 points while adding eight rebounds. Turner and Barnes tied with 12 in the Hawks' last game against Lincoln. The Hawks have had seven different leading scorers over their last nine games.

Skanes was efficient and effective in her 18 minutes on the court as she tied Turner with a team-high eight rebounds while also putting up 10 points and recording a steal.

UMES had its third best night shooting for the season as the Hawks went 23-of-51 from the field. The Hawks' 45.1% from the field fell behind only the 47.4% against Virginia-Lynchburg and the 46.2% against Cheyney.

Turnovers played a major role for both sides as UMES turned the ball over 25 times while Norfolk State turned it over 21 times.

The Hawks found their mark in the paint as they led Norfolk State 38-28 in points in the paint.

The Spartans knocked down 6-of-21 shots from beyond the arc to the Hawks' 1-of-9.

COMMENTS FROM HAWK HEAD COACH MALIKAH WILLIS

Experience For Team Entering MEAC Play

"It's tough, just like non-conference was. Our players are familiar with these players. Played tight until we got to that little scuffle with technical fouls, and that changes games. We've just got to be more level-headed."

Preparing for Howard 

"We worry about ourselves. We know the scouts. But we've got to get better with our turnovers and reboundings, and our emotional highs and lows. Our preperation really begins with us."

Players That Stood Out

"Brianna Barnes, she's a one-of-one. She can create her own shot any given moment. She's trying to find her rhythm within running the offense and then finding her shot. But she's always going to be pretty solid. Mahogany, of course, she's the glue to this team. And we need (Zamara) out there, she can't take herself out."

Areas of Growth and Improvement 

"I think we grew in our communication. Everybody wanted this win, everybody wants to make a statement in the MEAC. They were communicating, they were all locked in. But we need to improve just being aware. Need to be aware of our matchups and I think we could have taken advantage of a few matchups offensively and we were a little passive."

NEXT UP

With Monday's scheduled game against Howard being postponed due to inclement weather forecasts, UMES will have a week to prepare for Saturday road game at North Carolina Central. The game against Howard has been rescheduled for February 10th at UMES.