Hawks grounded by South Carolina State, 81-68
 
 

SUMMARY


The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks went cold in the early stages of the second half and ultimately dropped Monday night's MEAC contest to South Carolina State, 81-68.


 
THE SCORE
 
South Carolina State Bulldogs (14-12; 7-3) - 81
 
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (4-22; 0-10) - 68
 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED


In a back and forth start to the game, the SCSU Bulldogs scored nine of their first 12 points by way of three point range while the Hawks were led by an an early nine points from leading scorer Ketron "KC" Shaw to grab an 18-16 lead by the twelve minute mark.


A 7-0 SCSU run aided by three UMES turnovers suddenly had the Hawks facing an 33-25 deficit by the 4:13 mark. A Shaw free throw ended the Hawks scoring drought before back-to-back threes by Omar Croskey gave SCSU its largest lead, 39-28, with 2:59 to go.

 
SCSU continued to strike from three point range and ended the half with a contested make by Colin McKenzie to go into half with a 46-32 advantage.

 
SCSU seized the momentum early in the second half as the Hawks were held scoreless for the first four and half minutes. The Bulldogs continued their onslaught from the perimeter en route to a 29 point lead, 62-33. UMES tried to battle back and cut the SCSU lead down to twelve, 78-66, but the Bulldogs were successfully able to run the clock down on the way to the 81-68 final.
 
 
 

BY THE NUMBERS
 
SCSU had four players score in double figures while shooting over 50 percent from three point range (11-20). Omar Croskey led SCSU with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

KC Shaw led UMES with 21 points. seven assists and five rebounds.

UMES guard Evan Johnson added 10 points. 

The Hawks struggled from the free throw line, going 15-of-25 from the free throw line. 
 
 
 
COMMENTS FROM COACH CLEO HILL, JR

"I think South Carolina State does an excellent job. We have been watching the film all week and knew we would be up for a big test tonight. They defend very well. While we went down big in the early stages of the second half, I did like how we fought back. We did not lay down and I am proud of the way we competed in the final fifteen minutes of the game."

"We will analyze tonight's game. I think there are a few things we can change up going into Wednesday as well as in preparation for the conference tournament. We will spend tomorrow talking about it and working on getting ready for Wednesday's game against NCCU."


 




UP NEXT


The Hawks host North Carolina Central on Wednesday at 8 pm.