SUMMARY 

In their opening game at the Battle 4 Atlantis Women's Showcase, the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks lost to San Diego State on Saturday afternoon. UMES found an early rhythm with 15 and 14 points in the first two quarters, respectively, but the Hawks were unable to maintain that pace after halftime as the Aztecs pulled away late. 

THE SCORE 

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (4-3) - 45 

San Diego State (4-2) - 58 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

UMES shook off a slow start in the opening minutes and closed the first quarter on a strong run, taking a 15–8 lead over San Diego State after 10 minutes of play. Senior Lainey Allen settled the Hawks with an early layup and mid-range jumper, while Senior Ashanti Lynch's pair of free throws and sophomore Kalise Hill's paint touch gave UMES its first lead at 7–6. The Hawks' defense tightened as the quarter progressed, highlighted by multiple blocks from Allen and a steal-and-score sequence that ended with senior Brianna Barnes finishing in transition. Sophomore Candela Sabater Sanchez sparked the bench with a three and added a free throw to extend the advantage, helping UMES outscore the Aztecs 15–2 over the final six minutes to grab momentum heading into the second. 

UMES built on its first-quarter momentum with a strong start to the second, pushing the lead to double digits behind an aggressive offensive stretch from Barnes. The senior opened the period with a steal and quick finish, then scored again off her own offensive rebound before adding a third layup and converting an and-one to put the Hawks ahead 22–9. Freshman Desi Taylor added to the surge with a driving layup, and Hill powered to the rim for another score as UMES continued to generate high-percentage looks inside. San Diego State responded with timely threes to chip away at the deficit, but the Hawks repeatedly answered, highlighted by Hill finishing through contact and sophomore Jaida Cameron knocking down a free throw after battling on the boards. Allen added another layup late in the quarter, but the Aztecs closed the half with a pair of threes and two free throws in the final minute to narrow the margin. Despite the late push, UMES held a 29–24 advantage heading into halftime. 

UMES opened the third quarter with a fresh rotation, but San Diego State quickly shifted the momentum with an 11–0 run, capitalizing on Hawk turnovers to take a 32–29 lead. The Aztecs continued to pressure the ball as the quarter progressed, forcing several empty UMES possessions before extending the margin with back-to-back scores in the paint. The Hawks finally broke through at the 4:43 mark when Cameron knocked down a mid-range jumper off a setup from Hill. After SDSU answered with two more baskets, Cameron struck again, burying a three from the right side to bring UMES within 36–34. Lynch provided a spark moments later, finishing at the rim after Hill and Desi Taylor kept the possession alive, pulling the Hawks even at 36–36. San Diego State responded with another layup to retake the lead, and despite strong defensive stops from UMES, the Hawks' looks around the rim continued to rim out in the closing minutes. Lynch added a tough pull-up jumper with 27 seconds left to keep the Hawks within striking distance, but the Aztecs closed the frame with a final score inside to carry a 40–38 advantage into the fourth. 

San Diego State gained early separation in the fourth, pushing its lead to 42–38 before UMES answered with an Allen layup at the 8:22 mark. The Aztecs countered with a three and a jumper to stretch the margin to seven, and despite strong defensive stops from the Hawks, several clean UMES looks refused to fall as SDSU continued to convert in the paint. Lynch steadied the offense with two free throws to trim the deficit to single digits with 2:15 remaining, but the Aztecs responded immediately with a three to push the gap back to 12. In the final minute, San Diego State capitalized on back-to-back Hawk turnovers to extend the lead, though Barnes closed the game with a fast-break layup in the closing seconds. UMES was held to seven points in the frame as SDSU pulled away late to take the 58–45 final. 

BY THE NUMBERS 

UMES senior Brianna Barnes led the Hawks in scoring with 12 points while adding seven rebounds, two steals and an assist in the matchup. 

Seniors Ashanti Lynch and Lainey Allen each scored another eight points. Lynch added eight rebounds, two assists and a steal while Allen seven boards to pair with two blocks and a steal. 

The Hawks outscored the Aztecs 29-24 in the first half, but gave up 34 points while adding 16 in the second. The UMES shooting percentage dropped from 44% in the first half to 23.1% in the second. 

Turnovers played a significant part in the game for both sides wherein UMES committed 21 as opposed to San Diego State's 10. However, UMES limited the Aztecs to 20 points off those turnovers while the Hawks scored 14. 

UMES scored 12 points off the bench with Jaida Cameron leading the way with six points while adding a pair of rebounds.

COMMENTS FROM HAWKS HEAD COACH MALIKAH WILLIS 

Positives from the first half  

"We started the first half the same way we usually do, aggressive. We just needed a little more out of our starting five and our leadership today, our captains. But we started aggressive, we usually play a solid 20 minutes, and we've got to get it to 40 minutes. But, you know, that's just the name of the game." 

With a short turnaround, what is the message to the team for tomorrow's game  

"You know, it's really about us, and until we get tough enough to play for 40 minutes and to compete at a higher level then there's really nothing, nothing to say about our opponent. We got to dig deep, they should be embarrassed about how they played the second half, especially. And they just have to get tired of it, because it's a pattern at this point." 

HBCU representation at the Battle 4 Atlantis Women's Showcase 

"It means a lot. I'm proud to represent HBCUs down here at this tournament. And we want to make statements, and unfortunately, you know, we have to remind our team about the opportunity and how big this is and how big this stage is. We missed an opportunity to do that today." 

NEXT UP 

UMES plays its second game in the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis showcase with games against Princeton tomorrow, Nov. 23, at noon.