Hawks drop Wednesday night's game at Wagner

 
SUMMARY

 
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks dropped Wednesday night's road game at Wagner, 78-64.
 

 
THE SCORE

 
Maryland Eastern Shore (5-11) - 64
Wagner (4-6) - 78
 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

 
Wagner jumped ahead to a 9-4 lead after the first four minutes of play capped by a Makhai Anderson three pointer. Wagner built their lead up to double figures before key baskets from Dorion Staples and Jaden Cooper helped the Hawks cut the deficit down to four, 35-31, by halftime.

 
Cooper opened the second half by making his first two three point attempts. Battling through foul trouble throughout the game, Staples and Joseph Locandro were effective from midrange in the early stages of the half to help UMES tie up the game, 43-43. Wagner reclaimed the momentum with a 9-1 run and led 52-44 with 12 minutes remaining. Both Locandro and Staples picked up their fourth fouls of the game with 10 minutes remaining and were forced to sit. With two of the top offensive threats for UMES on the bench, Wagner maintained the lead down the stretch. UMES was unable to make a significant dent in to the Seahawk lead as Wagner led by as many as sixteen and cruised to the 14-point victory.
 

 
BY THE NUMBERS

 
Wednesday was the seventh meeting between the two programs. Wagner leads the all-time series, 6-1.

 
UMES has dropped its last six games and is currently winless in the month of December. UMES has played the entire month on the road.

 
Dorion Staples led UMES with 19 points despite exiting the game early with foul trouble. Jaden Cooper finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Zion Obanla picked up his first double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Joseph Locandro, who also fouled out of the game, added 11 points.

 
Wagner was paced by Binael Basil's 19 points and six rebounds. Eddie Placer added 15 points.

 
UMES turned the ball over 15 times while Wagner recorded just five giveaways. Wagner held a 15-2 edge in points scored of turnovers. Wagner also held a 18-2 edge in second chance points and the Seahawk bench outscored the UMES reserves, 38-15.
 
 
 
 
 
COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH CLEO HILL, JR


"We knew coming in that tonight would be a physical game. I thought Wagner did a great job executing offensively while maintaining a high level of energy on the defensive end."

 
"We played well DURING certain points of tonight's game but I thought when we had a chance to make a big play on defense or a big shot on the offensive end, we came up empty."

 
"They did a great job of taking care of the basketball tonight. I also thought they did a better job of capitalizing on second chance points while we struggled to take advantage of our extra possessions."

 
"We have been on the road throughout the entire month of December and have one more game against Texas to end non-conference play. These experiences against quality teams are chances for our guys to get better."




 
UP NEXT


The Hawks wrap up non-conference play at Texas on Monday.