The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (2-1) battled in a tight game that went down to the final whistle as the Hawks defended their home court in a 71-66 win against Monmouth. Throughout the game, UMES was led by a pair of their veteran returners on the offensive end as Ashanti Lynch and Brianna Barnes scored 22 and 15 points, respectively.
THE SCORE
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (2-1) - 77
Monmouth Hawks (1-2) - 66
HOW IT HAPPENED
UMES jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead off a pair of baskets courtesy the Hawks' two leading scorers, Lynch and Barnes, before Monmouth got on the board. Though Monmouth found its way to the boards and to the free throw line to the tune of 11 points in the quarter, UMES piled on 20 on a 33.3% clip and a 7-of-10 performance from the free throw line. Barnes and Lynch continued to trade shots as UMES 9-3 less than three minutes into the game. Kalise Hill, Jailynn Clayton, Jaida Cameron and Kaliya Perry each made it to the free throw line to stave off Monmouth's comeback efforts while Hill and Cameron also each knocked down a shot to hold a 20-11 lead heading into the second quarter.
While Monmouth struck first in the second frame with a pair of free throws, UMES hit a 14-6 run through the first seven minutes to take a 34-17 lead. The home Hawks were led through the run with another six points from Lynch en route to a career night while Dakieran Turner added another three while Lainey Allen knocked down a basket and Hill added a free throw. While Lynch added another basket before the end of the half, Monmouth mounted a comeback effort on a 8-2 run to cut down Maryland Eastern Shore's lead to 36-25.
UMES faced a continued comeback effort from Monmouth in the third quarter as the visitors held a scoring advantage of 24-19. Cameron kicked off the scoring in the second half with a knockdown shot from beyond the arc before both sides traded shots over the next few minutes. Monmouth held a 10-5 scoring advantage through the first four minutes before Barnes scored the next five points for UMES before capping the quarter with seven total points. Heading into the final quarter, UMES held a 55-49 lead.
In the penultimate frame, Barnes started the scoring for UMES with a jumper before Monmouth hit a three to cut the lead down to 57-52. Perry and Lynch each added a basket to extend Maryland Eastern Shore's lead, 61-52, before Monmouth answered with a bucket. Both sides evenly traded baskets with Monmouth getting within four points with 1:33 remaining before UMES closed the book on the game with Lynch hitting a basket before Hill added a free throw to close out Maryland Eastern Shore's win.
BY THE NUMBERS
Maryland Eastern Shore and Monmouth were tied for the first 37 seconds of the game until UMES sank the first basket. UMES led the remaining 39:33 of the game.
Ashanti Lynch scored a career-high 22 points while shooting 8-of-13 (61.5%) from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. She added five rebounds in the effort along with four steals and an assist.
Brianna Barnes added 15 points in addition to four rebounds and four steals while shooting 54.5% from the field.
Both sides were nearly even in rebounds as Monmouth held a 42-37 advantage on the boards. Dakieran Turner led UMES with eight rebounds while Kaliya Perry pulled down another seven.
While Monmouth held the rebound advantage, Maryland Eastern Shore outscored Monmouth 34-22 with points in the paint and a 17-16 second-chance points.
UMES remained vigilant in its defensive efforts as the team racked up 18 steals and forcing 26 overall turnovers while scoring 27 points off turnovers. In addition to Barnes' and Lynch's four steals, Kalise Hill led the Hawks with five of her own.
UMES shot its most efficient game of the season from the free throw line with a 66.7% clip on 24-of-36 attempts. Perry scored six of her eight free throw attempts to lead UMES.
NEXT UP
UMES travles to face Northwestern on Friday, November 14, at 6:30 p.m. CT before capping its road trip at Loyola University Chicago at 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, November 16. UMES will next be home on November 19 against UMBC at noon.
