SUMMARY

The Norfolk State Spartans defeated the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks 57-51 at Hytche Athletic Center on Thursday. Just two Hawks hit double digits scoring in the loss in a rematch from January 8 when the Hawks earned a 63-60 win on the road.

THE SCORE

Norfolk State Spartans (12-12, 7-2) - 51
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (14-12, 7-2) - 57

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawks, highlighted by three-point baskets from Ashanti Lynch and Desi Taylor and four points from Lainey Allen, began the game on a 14-2 scoring run that spanned the first seven minutes of the game. The Spartans scored three points the rest of the quarter, putting the score at 14-5 at the end of the first quarter.

After trading early buckets in the second quarter, the Maroon and Grey led 16-7 before Norfolk State tallied a 6-0 run to close the gap. DK Turner then put in a layup to expand UMES' advantage to 18-13 with 5:09 remaining in the half. The Spartans, spurned on from three UMES turnovers, evened the game 18-18 before Kaliya Perry hit a layup from the right of the rim at the buzzer to put the Hawks up 20-18.

Although the Maroon and Grey never trailed in the third quarter, the Hawks were never able to separate by more than six points in the period. After Norfolk State tied the game 20-20, UMES scored six of the next eight points behind a jumper and two free throws from Lynch and an additional two free throws from Turner. The Spartans closed the gap to one before UMES, highlighted by a jumper from Taylor and free throws from Lynch and Kalise Hill, ballooned their lead to 36-30. Norfolk State controlled the final three minutes of the quarter, closing the period on a 7-2 run to cut the deficit to one.

With the Hawks in front 38-37, the Spartans took the lead on a layup with 9:10 to play and never trailed the rest of the game. Even though Norfolk State built a 53-46 advantage, the Hawks responded with a three-pointer from Hill and a jumper from Perry to cut the deficit to 53-51 with 0:57 remaining. Ultimately, the Hawks were not able to score again en route to suffering their second loss in conference play.

BY THE NUMBERS

Ashanti Lynch paced the Hawks with 13 points and eight rebounds. This is Lynch's 16th double-digit point game of the season.

DK Turner added 10 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Jailynn Clayton posted a team-high 3 assists

UMES shot 93.3% (14-15) from the free throw line.

NEXT UP

The Hawks travel to Washington, D.C. to take on the Howard Bison on Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.. UMES earned a 62-56 win against the Bison in the pair's first matchup on January 10.