SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Shore jumped out to the lead four seconds into the game and never let up as the Hawks earned a 67-57 win against North Carolina Central.

THE SCORE

North Carolina Central (8-18, 5-6 MEAC) - 57

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (10-16, 5-6) - 67

HOW IT HAPPENED

In the same fashion as the Hawks' last game, Ashanti Lynch scored a basket four seconds into the game after a quick outlet pass off the opening tip. The Hawks never trailed the remainder of the game as UMES scored three unanswered baskets before the Eagles made their way inside the lane for their first bucket. Lynch led the way with seven points through the quarter while Dakieran Turner and Zamara Haynes each chipped in another six points. The Hawks outscored North Carolina Central 26-11 through the period.

The second quarter was more even keeled as each side traded baskets with the Eagles taking the slight advantage, 15-13 to cut into the Hawks' lead. Lainey Allen helped push the Hawks' offensive tempo down low as she racked up a couple of inside jumpers while Ce'nara Skanes drilled a three and Lynch and Brianna Barnes added a bucket each in the second quarter effort.

Playing out much the same as the second quarter, the third was a tightly contested frame wherein the Hawks maintained a slim scoring advantage, 12-10. While both sides' offenses were held mostly at bay, UMES knocked down its free throws at an efficient rate, hitting 4-of-6, while the Eagles went 3-of-8 from the charity stripe. Lynch continued to pour on points as she contributed eight of Hawks' 12 in the third.

Despite a late rally from the Eagles, UMES staved off the comeback efforts in the fourth quarter. North Carolina Central outscored the Hawks 21-16 in the fourth, but the Eagles were held to 33.3% shooting from the field while going 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. UMES knocked down 5-of-11 while hitting 50% of its 12 free throws to hold on to the win. Skanes paced the Hawks in the fourth with five points while Haynes and Barnes each notched four and Turner another three.

BY THE NUMBERS

Three Hawks hit triple digits scoring as Ashanti Lynch led with 17 while Zamara Haynes and Ce'nara Skanes hit 12 and 10 points, respectively. Skanes recorded a double-double as she also pulled down 10 rebounds to go along with three steals.

UMES held the rebounding advantage in the game, 55-35, while pulling down 26 offensive rebounds. The Hawks' control of the paint continued in the offensive end with UMES scoring 36 points in the paint to the Eagles' 22.

This marked the fifth game of the season the Hawks' scored 20-plus points from the free throw line. UMES went 21-of-31 from the line while drawing 27 personal fouls.

UMES marked the ninth straight game with double digit assists as the Hawks dished out 14 for the game. Mahogany Lester paced the Hawks with seven assists for the game.

NEXT UP

The Hawks play Saturday at home against Morgan State at 2 p.m. for UMES' final home game of the season.