SUMMARY
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore battled throughout, but came up short in a 63–58 loss to La Salle on Sunday afternoon. The Hawks led at halftime and traded the lead multiple times in the second half, but a late fourth quarter push by the Explorers created separation. UMES stayed within striking distance down the stretch behind key contributions from Ashanti Lynch, Brianna Barnes and Lainey Allen, but La Salle sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final minute.
THE SCORE
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (6-7) - 58
La Salle Explorers (7-3) - 63
HOW IT HAPPENED
UMES shook off an early scoreless stretch and found its rhythm midway through the opening quarter, using defensive pressure and transition offense to seize control. After La Salle opened at the free throw line, senior Lainey Allen answered with a pair of foul shots before freshman Kalise Hill turned a steal into a fastbreak jumper to give the Hawks their first lead. Senior Ashanti Lynch sparked the run moments later, knocking down a three from the wing off a Hill assist, and Allen followed with a finish in the paint to stretch the margin. UMES continued to attack inside, with senior Dakieran Turner and Hill converting layups off crisp ball movement, while the defense limited La Salle to just one field goal through the period. Senior Brianna Barnes capped the quarter with a jumper and Allen added a late free throw as the Hawks closed the opening frame on a 15–3 surge to take an 18–5 advantage.
La Salle chipped away early in the second, trimming the margin with a pair of paint touches before UMES responded behind its interior presence. Freshman Jailynn Clayton opened the quarter with a layup, and Lynch steadied the Hawks at the line before converting another finish inside to keep UMES in front. As La Salle continued to attack the basket, Allen answered with effort plays on both ends, tipping in a miss and later turning a steal into a fastbreak jumper off a Lynch assist. Clayton added another score in the paint late, while the Hawks leaned on defensive rebounds and timely stops to weather a late surge that saw La Salle close within two. A free throw from sophomore Candela Sabater Sánchez in the final seconds allowed UMES to take a 30–27 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter featured multiple lead changes as both teams battled inside. La Salle opened the half by cutting into the Hawks' slim advantage at the free-throw line before Allen and Lynch answered with back-to-back finishes in the paint to push UMES back in front. The Explorers briefly seized their first lead of the game midway through the quarter behind a fastbreak three, but the Hawks responded immediately as freshman Desi Taylor knocked down a transition triple off a Hill assist. Lynch continued to provide second-chance points with a tip-in, and Allen reclaimed the lead late with another interior basket off a Taylor feed. Despite a late three from La Salle, UMES closed the quarter on the right side of a back-and-forth frame, carrying a 42–43 margin into the final period.
La Salle opened the fourth with a quick basket inside and used free throws and a fastbreak layup to build momentum, stretching its lead to seven midway through the period. UMES answered at the line as Barnes and Allen combined to cut the deficit, and Lynch added a pair of free throws to keep the Hawks within striking distance. However, La Salle capitalized on second-chance opportunities and a timely three to extend its advantage to double digits with under three minutes remaining. The Hawks continued to battle late, with Lynch converting inside and Desi Taylor knocking down a three in the final seconds, but La Salle held firm at the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
Lainey Allen led the Hawks on the glass, recording her fourth double-double of the season. Allen had 15 points and 11 rebounds in the game. She also recorded two blocks and a steal in the game.
Ashanti Lynch paced UMES in scoring with 18 points, marking her second consecutive game leading the team in the scoring column.
The Hawks held a decisive advantage on the boards, outrebounding La Salle 43–27, and finished with 17 second-chance points, compared to 11 for the Explorers, marking the fifth game this season UMES has led an opponent in rebounds.
UMES held onto the lead for 25 minutes (62.5 %) of the game, but La Salle took the lead in the final 18 seconds of the third quarter from the Hawks and never relinquished the lead the remainder of the game.
Brianna Barnes scored another eight points for the Hawks while pulling down four rebounds.
NEXT UP
UMES finishes its three-game home span before a break over the holidays with Towson (Dec. 17) and Bloomfield College (Dec. 20).
