SUMMARY
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks traded shots early in the game with Virginia, but the Cavaliers took over momentum late in the first quarter and the Hawks were unable to overcome the hosting Cavaliers.
THE SCORE
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (5-5) - 59
Virginia Cavaliers (6-2) - 92
HOW IT HAPPENED
Offensive efficiency was the name of the game to start the contest as the Hawks and Cavaliers traded points and the lead as the lead changed four times over the first six minutes and tied three more times. In that time, both teams combined to go 14-of-23 on shot attempts. Virginia got the scoring started with a quick mid-range jumper four seconds into the game. However, Ashanti Lynch quickly responded for the Hawks with a run to the rim to tie the game. In the early theme of the quarter, while Virginia retook the lead, 4-2, Kalise Hill took it back for UMES with a three. Brianna Barnes and Lainey Allen eventually helped UMES build its largest lead of the quarter, 10-6, by the 6:42 mark after carving out room in the paint. The Cavaliers ended up finding separation from the Hawks during a two-minute 9-2 run to take a 17-14 lead with 3:34 remaining. While Barnes added another couple of points at 2:11, Virginia held the Hawks scoreless the remaining time while taking a 26-17 lead at the end of the frame.
The second quarter opened with a 4-0 advantage to the Cavaliers before Dakieran Turner knocked in her first score of the game on a free throw before Desi Taylor hit a three at 7:20 to cut into Virginia's 32-21 lead. Midway through the quarter, UMES began to hit its stride as Barnes drove in a layup while Candela Sabater Sánchez hit a three to keep the Cavaliers within a 10-point margin. Virginia, though, found its own offensive success in the final four minutes of the half with nine points to the Hawks' four coming via another Barnes layup and a pair of free throws from Dayshawna Carter. The Hawks trailed Virginia 45-30 at the halftime break. Barnes and Allen led the Hawks with eight points each.
The third quarter fell the way of the Cavaliers, as well, as Virginia held a scoring margin of 26-15 against the Hawks. After playing 13 minutes in the first half after two early fouls, Lynch tallied six points through the third while Carter added another four. Taylor also hit her second three of the game for UMES while Barnes added another bucket to push her into double digits scoring at 10.
In the final quarter, it went much the same way as the third as Virginia maintained its lead as the Hawks were outscored 21-14. UMES went 3-of-14 from the field as Lynch scored five points while Hill, Allen and Turner each added to the Hawks' efforts.
BY THE NUMBERS
UMES shot 31% (18-of-58) from the field and 38.5% (5-13) from beyond the arc. Virginia finished the game at a 54.7% (35-64) clip and 42.1% (8-19) for three. The Hawks' 31% shooting percentage is a season low for the team.
Ashanti Lynch, Lynch was limited to seven minutes in the first half after picking up two fouls.
Brianna Barnes and Lainey Allen each also scored in the double digits for the Hawks with 10 and 11 points, respectively. Barnes also led UMES in rebounds with seven while adding a pair of assists and a game-high four steals. Allen tallied five rebounds, an assist and a block.
Virginia held a 45-32 rebound margin against the Hawks while holding down the paint on both ends as the Cavaliers also racked up 13 blocked shots against the Hawks.
Turnovers were a minimal factor against Virginia for both sides as the Hawks turned the ball over the least amount of times this season (10), but also forced the least amount of turnovers this season (9).
COMMENTS FROM HAWKS HEAD COACH MALIKAH WILLIS
Thoughts on the game
"I thought we had a really good scout prepared. And we came out, and we knew who the shooters were and their tendencies. We had to make sure we stayed focused. It took us awhile to start the game; sometimes in these situations with Power Four teams, we've got to get our feet wet a little bit before the engine starts churning. I think that's what happened tonight. We dug a little hole and got into some foul trouble, but overall we needed more players to really compete tonight. We had a few of our go-tos really playing hard, we needed all five."
Keeping team focus with a deep slate of road games
"We have a detailed scout and we really hone in. I think we kind of laid back on how we were preparing. But we prepared for this one with all these games by just simplifying it and not give them too much, really play our principles and how we defend and want to execute. We wanted to focus on us more."
Dealing with early foul trouble
"That's something that's unfortunately is really consistent with Ashanti (Lynch). It's a bad habit she has to break when she's in foul trouble in the first quarter of every game. We've been on her a lot to hold back those temptations to reach for the ball. She has to grow from that and see how that hurts the team when she's not on the floor."
Five days until the team's next game
"Plenty of ice baths. We've got to get our legs up underneath us. We looked like we were moving in quicksand. All these games are probably catching up to us a little bit, but we still have to compete. A lot of ice baths and treatment, we're going to get off our legs for a little bit."
NEXT UP
UMES finishes its six-game stretch of games on the road at Wichita State on Friday before playing at Oklahoma on Sunday.
