SUMMARY

DOVER, Delaware – The University of Maryland Shore earned its fifth straight win of the season with a 69-35 victory against Delaware State. The victory marks the first five-game win streak for the Hawks since the 2019-20 season.

THE SCORE

Delaware State (5-23, 1-13 MEAC) - 35

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (13-16, 8-6) - 69

HOW IT HAPPENED

Defense reigned supreme through the first quarter as the Hawks were limited to 4-of-18 shooting from the field. However, the UMES defense also held Delaware State without a made basket through the first quarter and instead relegated the Hornets to six made free throws. Zamara Haynes and Mahogany Lester each notched a basket while Ce'nara Skanes sank a pair on assisst from Haynes and Lester. UMES led 8-6 coming out of the first quarter break.

The second quarter saw a little more momentum moving offensively as Haynes sank a quick layup before Skanes dropped in six unanswered points to extend the Hawks' lead to 16-6. Skanes finished the second quarter with eight points while Haynes followed up with six. Once again the Hornets were limited by the staunch UMES defense. Delaware State was limited to a single three and free throws as UMES outscored Delaware State 19-8 in the quarter to take a 27-14 lead into halftime.

Dakieran Turner got on the board for the Hawks first in the opening minutes of the third as she helped kickstart 15-4 run through the first five minutes of the third. Turner scored seven in that time while Haynes added another six and Skanes a layup. Through the end of the third quarter the Hawks began a series of lineup changes as they dipped into their bench to showcase the team's depth. The Hawks finished the last 4:10 with a 11-2 run to hold a 26-7 advantage in the quarter, and a 53-21 lead into the final quarter with Skanes and Ashanti Lynch each scoring four while Lainey Allen converted an and-one opportunity. During the Hawks' run in the second half of the third, Skanes secured her 18th point of the game, setting a personal game-high in scoring while Haynes tied her game-high of assists with seven.

The Hornets found a little more footing in the fourth quarter offensively, though the Hawks maintained their hold on the game with a 16-14 scoring advantage. Lainey Allen and Jayla Butler began the scoring in the fourth with back-to-back baskets while Aleah James, Amira Ofunniyin, Amiaya Morgan and Kiarra Kennedy each made their way to the basket to score for the Hawks.

BY THE NUMBERS

UMES' defense held Delaware State to just a 14.6% night shooting from the field. It's the lowest shooting percentage of any team the Hawks have faced this season.

The Hawks pressured the paint and held a 45-34 rebound advantage while scoring 50 points in the paint to the Hornets' eight.

UMES set a game-high for assists in the game with 18, led by Zamara Haynes' seven. Ce'nara Skanes and Aleah James added another three each while Amiaya Morgan recorded another two.

Ce'nara Skanes surpassed her game-high for the season in scoring while dropping 18 while adding six rebounds and three assists.

UMES showcased its depth as 13 Hawks saw time on the court and 11 got on the board with points.

COMMENTS FROM HAWK HEAD COACH MALIKAH WILLIS

Thoughts on the game

"I thought we came out a little bit slow. But that's kind of expected with five games in 10 days. I've been challenging them a lot, and they've been stepping up to the challenge. Ran into some injuries early on in the game and were tired, but overall I'm happy that we were able to play the rest of the bench and players in the last game of the regular season."

Playing best basketball of the season at the end

"We're actually executing a lot better. We've still got to focus on putting that ball in the basket, but the shots are there and we know where the shots are coming from. We're making the right passes right now, so everything is looking good. Defensively, we've got to turn it up a little bit more. We're giving up too many open threes and some space that we want to tighten up."

Ce'nara Skanes hits season-high in points and Zamara Haynes ties career-high in assists

"It goes into our slow start when we really couldn't hit a basket. We just said, 'hey, we're scoring goals through Ce'nara.' And we made her hit shots. She did a great job before we got here out in the third quarter. Zamara also, she's demanded so much attention defensively when she's on offense that she has to pass the ball. We've been focusing on that, talking more about that and showing her film on where she should pass it, and it's paying off."

Preparing for the MEAC Tournament next

"We're treating it as business as usual. We're going to go in there with the same type of film preparation. Maybe not as much time on the court in practice. At this point it's more mental. It's March Madness, we've got to get prepared mentally."

NEXT UP

The Hawks travel to Norfolk, Virginia, for the MEAC Tournament for a first round game on March 13 at the Scope Arena.