Last second three-pointer off the mark as Hawks fall to Morgan State, 75-72


SUMMARY

Down by 11 with under ninety seconds to go, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore battled back before a potential game-tying three pointer was off the mark at the end of regulation as UMES lost to Morgan State University, 75-72.



THE SCORE

Morgan State Bears (12-16; 6-6) - 75

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (5-23; 1-11) - 72



HOW IT HAPPENED

In a first half which has six lead changes and three ties, the Hawks managed to gain a 36-30 advantage by halftime thanks to 13 first half points by Ketron "KC" Shaw and another 10 points from Cardell Bailey. 


The Hawks led by as many as nine in the early stages of the second half. A jumper by Shaw gave UMES a 43-34 lead at the 16:30 mark. Momentum shifted to MSU as forward Daniel Akitoby scored eight of the next 13 points for the Bears, who were suddenly up by six with 10:56 remaining. Trailing 58-55 with 4:26 left, UMES surrendered a 9-2 run to MSU and went into the final 90 seconds trailing by eleven, 70-59.


Bailey brought UMES back into contention by scoring 11 points in the final minute and 20 seconds which included three makes from three-point range. After two Bailey free throws, the Hawks forced a turnover by the Bears. Hassan Perkins drove in for the made basket and the foul with 4 seconds on the clock. After an intentional miss by Perkins and a Morgan State bubble out of bounds, UMES had a chance to tie up the game. An open shot from the right corner of the court went sailing off the mark as time expired to give Morgan State the victory, 75-72.



BY THE NUMBERS

UMES guard Cardell Bailey led all scorers with a season-high 27 points. He also had five rebounds and four steals. KC Shaw, who was limited in the second half, added 15 points and seven rebounds. Hassan Perkins and Evan Johnson each scored 12 points. Johnson also had five assists while Perkins recorded four assists.

Morgan State was paced by Daniel Akitoby's 23 points and 10 rebounds. Kiran Olver added 17 points while Kameron Hobbs finished with 15 points.

MSU held a 40-26 edge in points scored in the paint.

Led by Bailey, the UMES bench outscored the MSU reserves, 29-3.

Morgan State made 20 of 26 free throws while the Hawks converted 10 of 14 attempts from the line.

The Hawks honored seniors Jalen Ware, Trey Hall and Evan Johnson prior to Saturday's game.



COMMENTS FROM COACH CLEO HILL, JR

"We had a great look at the end. It was a play we have worked on in practice and had yet to use it in a game. I thought we executed it well but the shot was off. That is part of basketball. We will talk about and get back to work."

"I thought we played a good brand of basketball in the first half. Unfortunately, I thought we played too flat in the first five minutes of the second half. Morgan State was able to get back in it and find some momentum. We fell behind and never fully recovered."

"We expect Cardell (Bailey) to play well. He has had some mid-season struggles but he has put the work in and it showed tonight. Hassan (Perkins) is a gritty guard who gave us some great minutes tonight. They both are playing well at the right time as we wrap up the regular season and prepare for the tournament."

"We will spend the next 24 hours looking at film and practice. Our goal is to be ready to play a full forty minutes at Coppin State on Monday."



NEXT GAME

The Hawks travel to Coppin State on Monday.